Education Minister discusses mental health, drugs and alcohol misuse with pupils

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has met with the Southern Education and Library Board’s Youth Councils to discuss issues facing today’s young people.

The group of young people formally presented a written report to the Minister on Drugs and Alcohol Misuse, Tackling Mental Health with young people and which also discusses Youth Services generally.

Speaking to the young people, the Minister said: "I am always fully supportive of any forum where young people can not only voice their opinions and concerns, but also where they can actually put forward recommendations to see a change in the status quo.

"I am impressed with the work these young people have done to try and tackle some of the hardest and most sensitive issues affecting their generation."

The Youth Councillors handed over a range of recommendations emerging from their Annual Youth Councillors’ Conference which was held in the Armagh Hotel just before the summer.

The Minister continued: "We need to take every step we can to raise awareness of the risks associated with the use of all drugs and other harmful substances and the issues young people can have dealing with mental health issues. Schools and youth services have an important role to play in educating all our children and young people about the effects drugs and mental health issues can have not only on their lives but also their family’s lives.

"It is important that we listen to young peoples’ voices and I had a very useful meeting with the young people here today. I will take away the pupils’ recommendations and consider them seriously as part of our wider programme to tackle these issues."

Notes to editors:

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