Counselling plan for schoolchildren shelved over shortage of mental health professionals

Counselling services intended for schoolchildren have been postponed indefinitely following a nationwide shortage of mental health professionals, according to an independent review of a government-funded pilot program. The initiative aimed to provide one-on-one counselling for children with mild to moderate mental health needs in primary schools across several counties. However, the program encountered significant obstacles, leading to the cancellation of the plan as a permanent national policy. Over half of the available counselling slots remained unused during the initial phase of the project, primarily due to insufficient numbers of qualified counsellors. The pilot began in 2023 with a budget of €5 million, targeting schools in Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, and Tipperary. The Department of Education launched the program in response to the impact of the pandemic on children's mental health. In 2024, the scope was broadened to include 61 Deis schools in Dublin, where education wellbeing practitioners (EWPs) were introduced to support classes and small groups. This expansion later reached 77 schools, extending into Cork and Carlow. Despite these efforts, the program faced persistent challenges, particularly in rural areas where access to counsellors was severely limited. An independent review, released by the Department of Education, highlighted major issues affecting the viability of expanding the one-on-one counselling model nationwide. The report noted that fewer than half of the 789 counselling blocks allocated in 2023–2024 were utilized. Schools struggled to secure appointments due to the scarcity of counsellors, with many reporting that the process of booking sessions added unnecessary administrative burdens. Rural schools were especially affected, as counsellors working in these areas faced higher fees and logistical hurdles. Even with measures such as hiring external contractors to increase the pool of available counsellors, the problem persisted. The review also revealed that nearly a fifth of 217 school principals who were eligible for the program opted out, citing the difficulty in finding counsellors as the main reason. Some schools reported that the requirement to schedule sessions created additional stress for administrators. Furthermore, the National Educational Psychological Service, responsible for coordinating the program, admitted to struggling with recruitment despite multiple attempts to attract qualified professionals. The report emphasized that the high cost per student associated with one-on-one counselling, compared to the more scalable EWP model, posed a challenge for long-term implementation. Critics pointed to other limitations, including the brevity of the counseling sessions, which lasted only six weeks. Parents and counsellors expressed concern that this duration was inadequate for addressing deeper psychological issues. Additionally, the report identified instances of inappropriate referrals, where children with more complex needs were assigned to general counselling sessions instead of receiving specialized care. Rules imposed by the Department of Education further restricted counsellors from offering follow-up private sessions to students, limiting continuity of care. Despite these setbacks, the Department of Education stated it plans to expand one-on-one counselling to 102 primary schools under the Deis Plus scheme. A new report, set to be released by Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton, will evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and suggest future directions. The report is expected to highlight the positive outcomes observed among children who participated in the program, noting improvements in emotional regulation, resilience, and coping mechanisms. While the current plan faces substantial hurdles, the government remains committed to exploring ways to enhance mental health support for schoolchildren.