A teacher has raised concerns about primary school children self-harming.
Sinead O’Sullivan, who works at a school in Dublin, told the INTO annual conference that fellow teachers had seen the evidence of self-harm and it was “extremely distressing”.
A motion for better support for children with special educational needs and mental health difficulties was being debated at the conference when she raised the issue.
She said: “It is extremely distressing that there are children of primary school age who are self-harming but we are seeing it.
“We need targeted and specialised services and therapies to be made readily available for school children.”
Alice O’Donnell, a member of the INTO’s education committee, said that trainers were “not trained, not supported and not resourced to support pupils who are experiencing mental health issues”.
Delegates have asked for schools to be provided with specialised services for children who are showing signs of mental health issues to meet their needs.
Anyone affected by issues in this story can contact:
Childline on 1800 66 66 66, or text "support" to 50101
Samaritans on 116 123
Pieta House on 1800 247 247
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