More than 160 young delegates from Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils) from across Ireland gathered in Dáil Éireann to debate the crucial issue of mental health, one of the biggest areas of concern for young people in Ireland , especially since the pandemic.
Mental health was identified by more than 3,000 young people in Comhairle na nÓg as their priority issue to discuss ahead of the day, and they believe the government should do more to address it. Carlow Comhairle na nÓg and National Executive Member Tasfia Hossain delivered opening speeches on the day.
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, said: “I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the Citizen Engagement Team at Maisons de l ‘Oireachtas for working with my Department to ensure that the 2024 Dáil na nÓg took place. I know that Minister Foley and her colleagues have engaged in a very positive manner with the outgoing National Executive on the subject of relationships and sexuality education. I am also grateful to Minister Butler for coming to hear directly about the mental health issue selected by all Comhairlí na nÓg for debate by their delegates in the Dáil na nÓg. The new National Executive will work on this issue during its two-year term, and the support of Minister Butler and Department of Health officials will be a vital part of the impact they can make.
The Dáil na nÓg, Ireland’s National Youth Parliament, now in its twenty-second year, has tackled a range of mental health issues including body image, academic stress and services mental health.
The biennial parliament, which provides a platform for young people to speak out and make recommendations on the issues that concern them most, was welcomed by the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, who chaired the session. opening in the Dáil House.
Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, delivered the closing address.
Comhairle na nÓg delegates representing each of Ireland’s 31 local authorities filled the committee rooms at Leinster House where they took part in workshops to debate the three mental health topics. Discussions were held about how mental health affects the lives of young people in their communities and what changes need to be implemented to address these challenges and improve the experiences of young people in Ireland.
Following a formal vote in the afternoon during which delegates toured the halls of the Dáil, academic stress was chosen as the priority topic. This will inform the work of the new Comhairle na nÓg National Executive Committee 2024-2026, which is tasked with advocating for policy change in this area during its term.
Themes in previous years have included equality, climate action, education and transport. The 2022 delegation voted for “More inclusive relationships and sexuality education” as a priority theme. To move forward in this direction, the National Executive 2022-2024 shared its views on two submissions from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, attended roundtable discussions organized by the NCCA on the content and conducted surveys among Comhairle na nÓg members. They also invited and participated in discussions with relevant experts in the field from the Department of Education, Dublin City University, the Health Promotion Research Center and the World Health Organization. health. They made a proposal to the Ministry of Education, which praised their work and pledged to consider ways to implement their recommendations.
Chairing the debate, Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl, told those gathered: “The young people gathered in the room are a powerful force for change. At a time when parts of the world are plagued by war, hunger and the ravages of climate change, you hold the keys to your own future. Your discussions today on the topics of mental health, body image, and academic stress will spark reflection and compassion for your peers and colleagues. If there is one thing I encourage you to do in this House today, it is to listen fully. When you listen, you play part of the conversation. The golden rule to being a good speaker is to be a good listener.
In her closing address to delegates, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, added: “I was very pleased to listen and engage with 160 young people speaking clearly in the 31 Comhairle na nÓg. Young people’s voices must be heard and listened to, particularly on issues such as youth mental health. I would like to thank each of these young people for the valuable contributions they make to society. As advocates representing young people across Ireland, I have heard your voices today and share your vision for improvement and progress, particularly in relation to the signage services available to young people to support their emotional well-being and positive mental health. I know the fantastic work Comhairle na nÓg does. Our young people are the future leaders and it is great to see them here in the Dáil Chamber today discussing such an important topic.
The Dáil na nÓg is organized by the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth in association with members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and Government.
The Dáil na nÓg is an initiative of the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth and was first established in 2001. The subject of school stress voted on in the Dáil na nÓg will form the basis of the next official mandate of the Comhairle na nÓg of the National Executive. work plan for the next two years.
The National Executive is made up of one representative from each of the 31 Comhairlí na nÓg and acts on recommendations from the Dáil na nÓg to bring about change for young people in these areas.
The National Executive has a mandate of two years and meets once a month, and is facilitated and supported by the National Participation Office and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and who ensure that they have the opportunity to engage with ministers, policy makers, Oireachtas committees and other relevant decision-makers.
Tasfia Hossain, Carlow Comhairle na nÓg delegate and member of the National Executive, said: “I think it’s safe to say that we have all learned a lot during our time in office, growing up and meeting so many wonderful people. Personally, I cannot fully describe the impact that Comhairle and the National Executive have had on my life.
Minister O’Gorman added: “I am very pleased that the Dáil na nÓg sat in the Dáil Chamber, with delegates from each of the 31 Comhairle na nÓg Local Youth Councils. This Youth Parliament meets every two years and is an important way for members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and Government to hear directly the views of children and young people on priority issues that need to be addressed. I was very pleased to support and promote the voices of children and young people in government decision-making and to applaud the young people who came here today to take forward this important work.
