Jan 31, 2018, (Ireland) Dublin People: Local students attend mental health event http://www.dublinpeople.com/news/northsideeast/articles/2018/01/31/4151360-local-students-attend-mental-health-event-/ STUDENTS at a Northside secondary school were among 7,000 teenagers who took part in major event that aims to promote positive mental health. ... The event, which started as a gathering of 40 students in 2012, is now the largest young people’s mental health conference in Europe. ... In 2017 St Mary’s Holy Faith Killester was rewarded for its exceptional commitment in promoting positive mental health. The school was awarded the prestigious status of Ambassador School by Cycle Against Suicide in recognition of its fulfilment of the ‘Five Gears’ programme. The programme is school-led and involves the completion of ‘Five Gears’ over the course of a year, all of which are aimed at raising awareness of the message that “It’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help”. The programme provides a framework for schools to integrate mental health activities into the school plan, and rewards schools that go the extra mile.
Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.