Guidelines on suicide prevention are to be issued next month to all secondary schools across the state as part of a campaign to improve mental health support for students.

Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and Minister of State with responsibility for mental health Kathleen Lynch are due to outline advice which promotes a "whole school" approach to promoting mental health needs.

The guidance is designed to support principals, guidance counsellors, student support teams and teachers.

News of the focus on suicide prevention has been welcomed by national organisation Console, which has has been calling for increased education and action in identifying those who are vulnerable to suicide and self-harm.

Chief executive of the group Paul Kelly commented: "Early identification of, and responding to, emerging suicide clusters is critical in reducing the incidence of suicide within our communities."

The issue of suicide among students has come to the fore following recent deaths of several young teens, including Shannon Gallagher and her sister Erin.

Written by Donal Walsh

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