Children Call for Mental Health to Top Ministers’ To Do Lists [childrensrights.ie]
- Published: 29 September 2010
Today the Government is returning from its summer break and the Children’s Mental Health Coalition is delivering a reminder to put children’s mental health at the top of their ‘to do’ list for the new Dáil term. As part of the Coalition’s campaign, messages on mental health will be delivered on giant pencil cases by students from St. Mac Dara’s Community College, Templeogue, and the Chair of the Coalition, Jillian van Turnhout. These will be presented outside the main Dáil gates, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 today (29 September) at 10.30am to Ministers Barry Andrews TD, John Moloney TD, Mary Harney TD, Dermot Ahern TD and Mary Coughlan TD.
Students from schools around the country have added their voice to the more than 45 organisations already signed up to the Coalition, by writing personal messages to Government Ministers, with responsibility for health, justice, education and children, on the importance of mental health to children and young people.
The Coalition’s manifesto, published in December 2009, sets out solutions that will breathe life into the Government’s four-and-a-half year old mental health policy A Vision for Change and ultimately, improve the lives of children and young people in Ireland.
Jillian van Turnhout, Chair of the Coalition and Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: “September signals the start of the new school year and now the Ministers are returning for their new Dáil term, we are asking for renewed commitment to children’s mental health.
Full Story: www.childrensrights.ie
