Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has presented a petition to the Assembly calling for mental health and wellbeing to become compulsory within the Northern Ireland school curriculum.

Roy Beggs MLA said:

“Mental health is a major challenge in Northern Ireland. One in ten children have a mental health problem and over a quarter of university and college students here suffer from mental health difficulties.

“Speaking in the Assembly on Monday I commended the work of Sara Patterson, a year 14 pupil at Carrickfergus Grammar School, who is seeking to make mental health and wellbeing a compulsory and more significant part of the NI School Curriculum.  With the support of her friends, Sara has collected signatures by going door to door in her local community.  She has also organised an online petition using Change.org.

“Some 605 signatures have been collected.  I wish to put on record my admiration for Sara’s vision and effort to increase the awareness of mental health issues and to make students at our schools more knowledgeable on how to improve their mental health and well-being.  Whilst there is the topic of Emotional Well-being within the curriculum, it is not compulsory and I understand that many schools choose not to teach it.

 “The pressures on young people today are different to previous generations. There is increased pressure on achieving academic results and fewer young people are active in terms of sport. Less time is being spent outside in the natural environment.  The internet, computer gaming and social media can also create problems in terms of isolation and internet bullying can lead to the loss of self-esteem and mental ill-health.  The smartphone has now brought the intensity of social media pressures to a new level. 

 “The Mental Health Foundation in a recent survey found that helping others can reduce stress, improve emotional wellbeing, bring a sense of belonging and reduce isolation and get rid of negative feelings.  This is why Sara’s petition is so important and commendable – we need to do all that we can to promote mental health and wellbeing within our young people, and the Northern Ireland curriculum is a vital component of young people’s educational lives.”