YFG_Mental Health External

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A Policy Document on Mental Health in Ireland

PromotingPositiveMentalHealth
2
Dear Friend,
This policy document is centred on mental health, an incredibly important issue and one
that affects many in our society.
This document includes 12 key recommendations that will be presented to Government
with a view to legislative improvements that will address this serious issue.
I hope you will find it informative and will support us during this campaign.
Yours sincerely,
Dale McDermott
President
Young Fine Gael

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Introduction
Mental health is a major issue for young people in Ireland. This is why the Young Fine Gael National
Executive chose this as one of the issues for the Policy Sub-Committee to prioritise this term. The sub-
Committee compiled this policy along with our internal policy “Promoting Positive Mental Health” which
details what actions YFG will take to promote Menatl Health within our organisation.
In researching for this policy, the Young Fine Gael Policy Sub-Committee has looked at a broad range of
issues in Ireland to try and support young people’s mental health. We have looked at how schools can
support mental health through the teaching of Physical Education (PE) and Social, Personal and Health
Education (SPHE). We have also looked at the role Government Departments as well as wider society.
The statistics for Ireland show that there are approximately 550 suicides per annum, approximately
12,000 cases of deliberate self-harm treated per annum, while a further 60,000 cases of self-harm are
estimated as “hidden cases” per annum. Furthermore the average age for the first act of self-harm is 16
years old.1
Mental Health as often been viewed as the ‘Cinderella’ of the Health Services. YFG believes that Mental
Health Services are as important as Physical Health. It is recognised that being physically healthy impacts
positively on your mental health, and we believe that being mentally healthy brings positives to physical
health.
We are heartened to see many campaigns around this issue beginning in Ireland and the UK, including
the ‘Green Ribbon’ Project from SeeChange to tackle the stigma around mental health, Pieta House who
provide support to those in Crisis situations, and the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) who
challenge the stigma around men seeking help.
Young Fine Gael believes that actions are needed across every aspect of society. We hope that this policy
will provoke discussion and debate about Mental Health in Ireland and how we as a society can tackle the
causes and build a better society for our Young People.
1 Anderson, E, National Suicide Research Foundation,‘Mental health and suicidal behaviour among gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
people in Ireland’, Presentation to Cork Cloyne and Ross Diocesan Synod, 6th
September 2014

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• YFG calls on the Press Council to develop guidelines for the media on the reporting of Mental Health
and Suicide.
• YFG calls on the Government to set up a body image campaign in Ireland.
• YFG calls for the full implementation of the policy proposals contained in the document A Vision for
Change and if necessary an extension of the time frame beyond 2016.
• YFG calls on the Government to introduce SafeTALK as a mandatory training for all senior cycle
second level students.
• That a range of actions are taken across Government departments to tackle mental health for LGBT
young people.
• YFG proposes that a specific, compulsory curriculum on mental health be included as part of the
S.P.H.E course at both junior and senior cycles. (Social Personal and Health Education)
• YFG recommends that all schools be required to have a counselling service available to students free
of charge in their schools.
• YFG proposes that specific sections of primary and secondary school curriculums are dedicated to
the issue of cyberbullying.
• YFG calls for all second level schools to allow for an option of restorative justice in cases of bullying in
schools.
• YFG calls for the promotion of education in schools on the harmful impacts of drug and alcohol
abuse.
• YFG proposes that schools should be encouraged to get involved in projects where two generations
can learn from each other
• YFG Calls for greater integration between voluntary groups and government agencies in providing
quality youth services in rural areas
KeyRecommendations

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ResponsibilityoftheMedia
Background
Recent events have shown that there is a lack of understanding in the reporting on mental health and
suicide issues online and on traditional media. According to The Samaritans “research shows that
inappropriate reporting of suicide may lead to imitative or ‘copycat’ behaviour. For example, if vulnerable
groups, such as, people with mental health problems and impressionable young people, are provided with
details about the method of suicide used, it can lead to more deaths using the same method.”2
While
we must always balance the issue of Press Freedom versus Press Responsibility, we believe that certain
actions are required by the press in Ireland to ensure that they are playing their role in society in fighting
stigma and reporting on mental health issues.
Policy
YFG urges the Press Council to develop guidelines on the reporting of mental health and suicide similar to
those of the Samaritan Guidelines, which would be issued to members of the media, including reporters
and editors and would be held to the same standard as the Press Council’s own Code of Practice.
SettingUpABodyImageCampaigntoTarget
theGrowingIncidenceofBodyDissatisfaction
andIncreasedRateofEatingDisorders
Background
In the UK, the Government set up an all-party parliamentary group to examine the issues surrounding body
image. This action was taken in response to the fact that there are 1.6million people in the UK suffering
from eating disorders. Furthermore, those suffering from eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of
all mental illnesses. In Ireland, it is estimated that 200,000 people suffer from an eating disorder.
The All Party Parliamentary Group carried out a report which found that over half of the British public suffer
from negative body image. The problem appears to be so severe that girls as young as five now worry
about their size and appearance, half of girls and one quarter of boys believe their peers have body image
problems, and appearance is the largest cause of bullying in schools.
An inquiry was held which established the following:
• By the age of 14, half of girls and one third of boys have been on a diet to change their body shape
• Girls who diet are 12 times more likely to binge eat
• One in three men would sacrifice a year of life to achieve their ideal body
• More than 95% of dieters regain the weight they lost
• One in five people have been victimised because of their weight.
2 Media Guidelines for Reporting Suicide, Irish Association of Suicidology and Samaritans, 2013

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The inquiry also heard that getting rid of dieting could wipe out 70% of eating disorders. They found
that media (43.5%), advertising (16.8%) and celebrity culture (12.5%) together account for almost
three quarters of the influence on body image in society, yet the “body ideal” that they typically present
was estimated to not be physically achievable by nearly 95% of the population. Additionally, feelings
of dissatisfaction and inadequacy, often driven by weight stigmatisation and the desire to achieve the
unattainable “body ideal” cause many people to sacrifice health for appearance.
The report makes a series of recommendations targeted at policy-makers, healthcare professionals, industry
and the education sector, and is designed to change public perceptions, attitudes and behavioural patterns.
Thereportrecommends
• Working with industry (media, retail, advertising, fitness, fashion and beauty) to represent and cel-
ebrate more diverse and realistic images of men, women and children
• A review of broadcast and editorial codes on reporting body-related issues
• A review of the evidence base to support the long term efficacy and safety of diets
• Support for new mothers and for primary and secondary school pupils
• Launching a teaching pack for schools and parents to help children and adolescents understand how
images in the media and advertising are altered and do not reflect real life or real bodies.
The British Government’s response to the report was to set up the successful ‘Campaign for Body
Confidence’. YFG believes that the Irish Government has a responsibility to act now to bring about the
attitudinal and behavioural change that’s necessary to prevent further damage.
Policy
YFGRecommends
• Setting up a campaign for body confidence in Ireland.
• Liaising with the British Government on their campaign due to the high level of British media (TV,
Magazines etc.) consumed by the Irish public.
• Encouraging the European Union to set up a body confidence campaign across Europe.
• We recommend, in order to change the culture of ‘only thin is beautiful’, that Government intervention
is needed to urge magazines to stop promoting fad diets, change advertising codes so that
advertisers need to be honest about the extent to which they digitally alter images, school lessons to
deal with body image issues and training in media literacy to be able to think critically about images.
IncreasedFocusonCommunityMentalHealthServices
Background
In Ireland, current mental health provision focuses largely on medical services with much less emphasis
being put on resolving social and economic supports that are necessary to maintain recovery. There is
an over-reliance on in-patient care and medication-based treatment for those with mental health difficulties. In
addition many areas of the country do not have easy access to these services. Mental health wellbeing and early

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intervention programs are not sufficiently endorsed by policy in this area.We believe there is an over-reliance
on psychiatric care.3
Community mental health services, on the other hand, support or treat people with poor
mental health in a domiciliary setting, as opposed to psychiatric hospital. In a community based mental health
service, the community becomes the primary provider of mental health services.This community mental health
service would have a focus that is broader than outpatient treatment.These services may vary from supported
and supervised housing, to community mental health centres, to self-help groups.They may be provided by
governments, volunteer groups, of private/charitable organisations.The World Health Organisation claims that
community mental health services reduce social exclusion, provide more accessible services and do not have
the same risk of neglect that may occur in psychiatric hospitals.4
The policy document A Vision for Change, which was adopted by the Irish government in 2006, outlined
how the in-patient focused nature of Irish mental health service provision could be replaced by a more
holistic, multidisciplinary system with emphasis on community supports and person-centred treatment.5
Unfortunately implementation of this document has been slow due to a lack of funding, leadership and
creativity on the part of the HSE and political leaders.
Recommendation
YFG calls for the full implementation of the policy proposals contained in the document A Vision for Change
and if necessary an extension of the time frame beyond 2016. This would lead to an overhaul and an
improvement in mental healthcare provision in Ireland.
TrainingPeopletoRespondToSuicidalThoughts
andIdeationthroughSafeTALKASIST
Background
The rate of suicide in Ireland has increased significantly in the past number of years. Ireland ranks fourth highest
in the EU for deaths by suicide for 5-24 yr olds, at 13.9 per 100,000 population1.There were 495 deaths by
suicide in Ireland in 2010, representing a rate of 10.9 per 100,000 population1. 405 (82%) of these were men1.
This gender differentiation is a constant feature of the deaths by suicide over the last decade.
Furthermore, suicide is one of the leading causes of death amongst young people. We believe suicide is
largely preventable when the right help is given. In order for this to happen, as many people as possible
need to be trained to recognise when people at risk of suicide signal their distress and invite help, and be
able to respond appropriately.
SafeTALK is a half-day, suicide prevention programme run by the HSE for anyone over the age of 15.
The course is aimed at anybody who is interested in acquiring the skills to identify people who are having
suicidal thoughts, react to ‘invitations’, and be able to connect them to suicide first aid resources2
. The
primary aim is to create a community of ‘suicide alertness’.
3 http://www.mentalhealthreform.ie/home/mental-health-in-ireland/
4 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2007/np25/en/
5 http://www.irishpsychiatry.ie/Libraries/External_Events_Documents/vision_for_change_full_document.sflb.ashx

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ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) is a two day training programme run by the HSE which
aims to equip the participant with the knowledge, ability and confidence to carry out a suicide first aid
intervention3
.
We believe, if more people understood the signs exhibited by those with thoughts of suicide, this would
empower individuals to respond effectively and help mobilise local communities to work together to
reduce the rates of suicide. In addition to this, it would raise mental health awareness, reduce stigma and
challenge societal attitudes.
Policy
YFGrecommends
Making SafeTALK mandatory for all senior cycle second level students.
Advertising and promotion of SafeTALK and ASIST training courses in communities to encourage
awareness of the course and participation.
Create mental health and suicide awareness campaigns providing basic tips on how to respond to
invitations and signs (such as Stroke Action’s F.A.S.T Campaign).
References
LGBTYoungPeopleandMentalHealth
Background
Research on mental health amongst Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) young people has
shown that this community is particularly vulnerable to psychological distress, suicidal behaviour and self-
harm related to their experience of minority stress. A systematic review of 28 studies shows that lesbian,
gay and bisexual people and twice as likely to attempt suicide, 1.5 times higher risk of depression and
anxiety disorders, and have a 1.5 times higher risk of alcohol or other substance dependence over 12
months.6
To combat this, a cross departmental approach is needed to ensure that LGBT young people get
the full support they need to lead fulfilled lives.
Recommendations
YFG proposes that Government departments interventions should not be based on the idea that all LGBT
young people are victims or that they are inevitably ‘at risk’ of developing mental health difficulties. Rather
policies must be focused carefully to the diverse experiences and concerns of LGBT young people
As part of a cross Departmental strategy, the Department of Health should ensure that the needs of LGBT
people are integrated into all health policies, particularly those pertaining to:
• Mental health
• Men’s health
• Women’s health
6 ‘A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people’, King et al (2008) http://
www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/8/70

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• Suicide and self-harm
• Alcohol and drug (mis)use
• Health promotion
• Sexual health
The HSE should ensure that health and mental health services are provided in a way that is accessible and
appropriate to LGBT people. All health agencies should ensure that they have a policy in relation to the
care of LGBT people.
LGBT-specific services, particularly those targeting young LGBT people need to be resourced to provide
programmes aimed at transforming internalised homophobia and building individual strengths.
Specific attention should be paid to the needs of transgender people within health policy. The Department
of Health should develop a national policy on access to healthcare and standards of care for transgender
people. The mental health and emotional needs of transgender people should be recognised within health
and mental health policy.
The Department of Social Protection should continue its work on the Gender Recognition Bill to ensure that
people can be recognised in their identified gender. This will allow Transgendered young people to have
role models and see that their identity will be recognised by the state.
The Department of Education and Skills (DES) should ensure that Teacher education programmes offer
courses that will assist both early and in-career educators in taking action to challenge heterosexism,
homophobia and transphobia in their schools and classrooms. Such interventions should not comprise
‘one-off’ anti-homophobia lectures and workshops addressing LGBT issues, which are likely to further
marginalise LGBT youth, but rather should be infused throughout teacher education programmes.7
As part of the reform of Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE), SPHE and Relationship Relationships
and Sexuality Education (RSE) should provide far greater scope for the exploration of minority sexuality and
gender identity.
The DES and individual schools should take action on their obligation to ensure the safety of school
environments for all students by ensuring that school bullying policies incorporate directives and guidelines
that specifically recognise and address the problem of homophobic bullying in schools.
The DES should provide a dedicated support service to schools and the education partners (e.g. Institute of
Guidance Counsellors) on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) should devise clear mechanisms to promote greater
awareness of the needs and rights of LGBT young people.This may include developing an LGBT Strategy for
the Youth sector, developing comprehensive training packages, holding a national conference on LGBT young
people, and ensuring that all policy developed in the sector is inclusive of the needs of LGBT young people.
The National Youth Strategy and the National Youth Participation Strategy should give full recognition to,
and be fully inclusive of, LGBT young people.
Just like teacher training all youth work training should offer comprehensive courses that raise awareness
of the needs of LGBT youth and also help them to appropriately address and challenge heterosexism,
homophobia and transphobia in the context of their work with young people.
BelongTo currently support 22 LGBT Youth Groups across the state in counties Carlow, Cavan, Cork,
7 Macintosh,L.(2007) Does anyone have a Band-Aid?Anti-homophobia discourses and pedagogical impossibilities.Educational Studies,41,1,33-43.

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Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford and
Wexford. Further support is needed to develop more LGBT-specific youth services across the state. Such
groups play an important role in helping LGBT young people to access knowledge and social support,
make connections and develop confidence and self-esteem. They can also provide an appropriate setting
in which to address mental health issues with young people.
The Department of Justice and Equality should amend Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act 1998
which permits certain religious, educational and medical institutions to take action deemed reasonably
necessary to prevent an employee, or a prospective employee, from undermining the religious ethos of the
institution. This has particular relevance to LGBT personnel working in, or seeking employment in, schools
as it means that many who might otherwise serve as role models for LGBT youth may feel obliged to hide
their sexual orientation or gender identity in these settings.
IncreasedFocusonMentalHealthintheSPHEProgram
Background
The current SPHE curriculum, which is part of the second level curriculum, educates students about
mental health issues, and awareness of mental health issues. YFG recognises that approaches to ensuring
good mental health and recognising signs of poor mental health are present indirectly in almost every
aspect of the SPHE curriculum. At junior cycle level, mental health forms part of the emotional health area
of the course covered in first year.8
At senior cycle level, mental health is one of the five areas of learning
around which the SPHE curriculum is structured.9
From our personal experiences, the deliverance of the
SPHE curriculum varies across schools. As a result, there is not a consistent approach to this aspect of the
education programme.
Policy
To ensure that maximum emphasis is placed on the crucial area of mental health within the SPHE program,
it is important that there is a consistent approach across schools in the teaching of certain aspects of
this curriculum. This classroom based approach compliments the Department of Education and Skills’
own recommendations to schools regarding the promotion of good mental health within the educational
environment.10
Recommendation
YFG calls for specific teaching on mental health to become a compulsory part of the SPHE course at both
junior and senior cycles. This curriculum reform should be accompanied by the continued implementation
of measures to promote positive mental health in schools as recommended by the Department of
Education and Skills.

8 http://www.sphe.ie/downloads/RESOURCES/SPHE%20JUNIOR%20CYCLE%20SYLLABUS.pdf
9 http://www.ncca.ie/en/Curriculum_and_Assessment/Post-Primary_Education/Senior_Cycle/SPHE_framework/SPHE_Framework.pdf
10 http://www.nosp.ie/Well_Being_PP_Schools_Guidelines.pdf

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CounsellinginSecondarySchoolsandMentalWellbeing
Background
Findings from research by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) from 2013 show one in five
young Irish people aged 19-24 and one in six young people aged 11-13 are experiencing mental disor-
ders.11
Universities and colleges throughout the country offer counselling services to students suffering
with mental illness. With more and more teenagers and young people experiencing mental issues, it makes
practical sense that some similar type of support service be offered to young people experiencing mental
difficulties in Irish secondary schools.
Recommendations
YFG recommends that all schools be required to have a counselling service available to students free of
charge in their schools. Students under this system would be allowed to make an appointment confidentially to
their school counsellor and have regular sessions if necessary.The role of the school counsellor may be fulfilled
by the school guidance counsellor if they are also qualified in the area of psychotherapy.
YFG also suggests that teachers should be given additional training to deal with issues of mental illness
that their students may be facing.
CyberbullyinginSchools
Background
In recent times studies have shown that the amount of training that teachers, even those recently qualified,
are receiving is insufficient to deal with cyberbullying. A study by Caroline Wheeler, researcher at Trinity
College Dublin has found that two thirds of teachers found their level of training inadequate to cope with
such situations.12
This problem is given added weight, as an EU study has shown that Irish youngsters are
the most likely in Europe to encounter some form of cyberbullying.13
One in four girls and one in six boys
have either been the bully or the victim of an incidence of cyberbullying according to a study.14
The prob-
lem does not affect teenagers alone, despite minimum age requirements on many websites. A study by
Irish anti-bullying service Bully 4U found that 85% of nine to 12-year-olds are using social networking site
Facebook, and 35% are using Twitter.15
With this problem affecting so many young people both teenagers
and young children alike greater attention needs to be given to this issue in both the primary and second-
ary level education.
Recommendation
YFG recommends that specific sections of primary and secondary school curriculums are dedicated to the
teaching of cyberbullying. We suggest that this curriculum cover the following topics:
11 http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/mental-health/irish-youth-may-have-higher-rates-of-mental-disorder-than-other-
countries-29649882.html
12 http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/teachers-lack-training-to-combat-cyberbullies-249052.html
13 http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/teach-anti-cyberbullying-in-schools-report-recommends-633004.html
14 http://www.irishcentral.com/news/one-in-four-girls-affected-by-cyberbullying-according-to-new-trinity-study-146640875-237440441.html#
15 http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/teachers-lack-training-to-combat-cyberbullies-249052.html

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• How students can recognise cyberbullying either against themselves or another individual
• The consequences and effects of cyberbullying may have on a particular individual
• How students can report cyberbulliyng
Furthermore YFG recommends that teachers should receive additional training on the issue of
cyberbullying to become more adept at dealing with the issue.
UsingRestorativeJusticeasaWayofSuccessfully
DealingwithCasesofBullying
Background
From our experiences, the most common punishment for serious and persistent bullying at second level
is expulsion. This can often escalate the problem of bullying and allows in no way for the situation to be
properly resolved nor does it show the person responsible for the bullying what he or she did wrong.
Restorative justice approaches the incident of misbehaviour as an educative opportunity for repairing the
harm, by adapting more socially responsible relationships and behaviours that takes the thoughts and
feelings of others into account. This is achieved through carefully structured opportunities for individuals to
understand the impact of their actions, recognise their social responsibilities and make amends to those
who have been affected. A change in behaviour can be brought about by developing a sense of shared
concern for the bullied person. The use of restorative justice can put a full stop to bullying by showing the
perpetrator how his or her actions are affecting others.
Restorative justice can be used to successfully end an episode of bullying by an individual or group, by
showing those responsible the consequences of their actions and helping them to understand what they
did was wrong. Taking a restorative justice approaches require the following factors to be in place first:
1. Support for the victimised person, who needs to have identified that he/she is being bullied, and is
confident that the approach advocated will work.
2. Preliminary investigation to clearly understand the issues before the process is implemented.
3. Staff guidelines and professional development to build understanding, skills and confidence in using
the strategies.
4. Agreement from all parties that the goal is to solve the problem, rather than to interrogate, punish,
blame or label individuals.
5. Respectful facilitation of the process by trained people.
Recommendation
Young Fine Gael calls for all second level schools to allow for an option of restorative justice in cases of
bullying in schools.

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P.E.inSchools
Background
In recent times childhood obesity has become a major national health issue. Statistics show that more than
300,000 children in Ireland are considered to be obese, and this figure is projected to increase by around
10,000 annually16
if the problem is not tackled effectively.
It is widely recommended that children should participate in at least 60 minutes a day of moderate
physical activity to avoid excessive weight gain.17
Primary schools have a role to play in this process.
However, teachers in Irish primary schools spend less time teaching PE, in both absolute and proportionate
terms, than any other European country, according to a study by the EUs education information network
Eurydice.18
Irish primary school students have around 37 hours of classes during the school year.19
This is
in comparison to other countries, which demand on average 45 hours a year.20
This can have an impact
upon mental health as well as, or in addition to, physical health.
Research has shown obese children frequently suffer from self-blame, negative body image and
depression related to societal stigmatisation.21
They can face rejection from their peers and suffer from
low self-esteem as a result, which can have a negative impact upon academic performance and social
functioning.22
Recommendations
YFG proposes that Ireland increases the level of mandatory P.E. hours in primary schools in order to bring
Ireland in line with the European average and to combat childhood obesity. YFG also calls for a greater
emphasis on the quality of PE classes in both primary and secondary schools.
EducationonDrugandAlcoholUse
Background
Ireland has among the highest levels of alcohol consumption in the world. According to Alcohol Action Ireland,
54% of drinkers between 18-75 were classified as harmful drinkers, equating to 1.35 million in Ireland; while
40% of the population admitted to binge drinking in the last 30 days, which is defined as consuming more than
6 standard drinks on one occasion, compared to 29% in the United Kingdom over the same period.23
Perhaps
the most striking conclusion from this analysis was that 64.3% of drinkers between the ages of 18-24 admitted
to drinking six or more standard drinks per occasion, a figure which rose to 38.1% for nine or more standard
drinks. In contrast, 40% of the population between the ages of 25-34 consumed six or more standard drinks per
occasion, a figure which dropped significantly for each increasing age group.
16 http://www.inmo.ie/Home/Index/7631/10154
18 http://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-least-time-pe-primary-schools-850343-Mar2013/
23 http://alcoholireland.ie/download/reports/how_much_do_we_drink/Alcohol_Consumption_in_Ireland_2013_web_version.pdf

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Similarly, there is a high level of drug usage in the general population in Ireland, particularly in the 15-34
age bracket, where 35% of those surveyed admitted to using illegal drugs at some stage in their life, while
28% stated they were currently taking drugs. Strikingly, Ireland has the highest rate of Heroin use in the
European Union, while drug usage among young people is among the highest in the EU.24
Evidently, it is clear that there is a large scale problem of binge drinking among the Irish drinking
population, and more particularly among young Irish drinkers. In rural areas, in particular, the harmful
impacts of alcohol abuse tend to be understated by both parents and children. While rural parents also
tend to believe that their children are less susceptible to drug abuse, which is not the case.25
Therefore,
government policy should seek to address this problem, by educating children on the dangers of drug and
alcohol abuse from a young age.
Recommendation
YFG calls for the promotion of education in schools on the harmful impacts of drug and alcohol abuse. This
could be undertaken at the later stages of primary school in the same manner that sexual education is
thought to 5th/6th class students.
YoungPeopleinRuralIreland
Background
Many groups living in rural areas can, for a number of reasons, such as lack of access to transport or local
amenities find themselves very isolated. A report from Pobal in 2010, noted how young people and older
people were identified as most at risk of rural isolation, along with those with disabilities, travellers and
various others.26
This report noted the lack of local facilities for young people living in rural areas, relative
to those living.
Recommendation
YFG proposes that schools should be encouraged to get involved in projects where two generations can
learn from each other as a report into rural isolation in County Monaghan recommended. This could involve
students teaching older people how to use a PC or a mobile phone, and older people could in turn teach
students skills in areas such as crafts, sewing etc. This would enable older people to feel a greater sense
of purpose within local communities, which had been identified as a problem, and would equip younger
people with greater skills for the workplace and encourage community involvement.27
Additionally, YFG Calls for greater integration between voluntary groups and government agencies in
providing quality youth services in rural areas. In many rural locations, the local pub is the only source of
non-sporting social activity for young people. These services could be located in community halls, which
are an underutilised presence in many local communities throughout the country.28
24 http://www.drugs.ie/resourcesfiles/reports/Report-on-The-Misuse-of-Alcohol-and-Other-Drugs.pdf
25 http://www.rrh.org.au/publishedarticles/article_print_1171.pdf
26 http://www.cwc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Rural-Poverty-and-Social-Exclusion-on-the-Island-of-Ireland-%E2%80%93-
Challenges-Policies-and-Challenges.pdf
27 http://www.midl.ie/images/stories/pdfs/RuralIsolationReportMonaghanIntegratedDevelopment.pdf
28 http://www.schooldays.ie/articles/Transition-Year-Initiatives

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APPENDIX
• Setting Up A Body Image Campaign To Target The Growing Incidence Of Body Dissatisfaction And
Increased Rate of Eating Disorders
• http://www.campaignforbodyconfidence.com/#!
• http://www.campaignforbodyconfidence.com/assets/filemanager/reflections-on-body-image.pdf
• https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/creating-a-fairer-and-more-equal-society/supporting-pages/
body-confidence-campaign
• https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/203405/130501_body_
confidence_progress_reportv03.pdf
• Training People to Respond To Suicidal Thoughts and Ideation through SafeTALK ASIST
• http://www.nosp.ie/annual_report_2012.pdf
• http://www.nosp.ie/safetalk.pdf
• http://www.nosp.ie/asist_2014.pdf
• Using Restorative Justice as a Way of Successfully Dealing with Cases of Bullying.
• http://www.transformingconflict.org/

Fine Gael National Headquarters, 51 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2
Phone: 01 619 8444 Fax: 01 662 5046
Email: yfg@yfg.ie Web: www.yfg.ie

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