An event for all parents, teachers and principals of primary school children.

The NPC Conference took place on the 11th of June 2022 in the National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, Dublin 1 (on the LUAS redline), from 10.30am to 4pm

Presentations on the day included:

Why better supports are needed in our schools

• By Dr. Colman Noctor, Child and Adolescent Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist. Colman has worked across a range of Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services both in Ireland and abroad and has a wealth of national and international clinical experience. 

Mental Health Support Teams in Schools (MHST) in SW region of the UK, an overview

• By Sarah Stockham is the Clinical Lead, with the Mental Health Support Teams in Schools with the Dorset HealthCare NHS Foundation Trust. The Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) are a new joint funded service through NHS England and the Department of Education. MHST's provide early intervention for mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing issues for young people and their parents, as well as supporting staff within education settings to provide a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. 

A Panel discussion with:

• Prof James O'Higgins Norman - James holds the UNESCO Chair on Tackling Bullying in Schools and Cyberspace at Dublin City University. He is the director of the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre, and a member of the Government of Ireland Advisory Council on Online Safety. 
• Sonya Ryan - A parent from Corpus Christi NS, Moyross, Limerick and is a member of the Board of National Parents Council Primary. 
• John Boyle - General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. John hails from the Donegal Gaeltacht. He taught in Scoil Mhuire, Ballyboden (DEIS Band 1) for 14 years and then worked as principal teacher of St Colmcille's Junior N.S. in Knocklyon for eighteen years. 
• Louise O'Leary - Advocacy Manager for St. Patrick's Mental Health Services. Special interests and related skills in mental health advocacy, women's mental health, and health literacy. Extensive clinical experience over 13 years in acute mental health-care and community based services. 

Address by the INTO President

• John Driscoll

How to help anxious children

• By Sarah Stockham, Mental Health Specialist UK (see above)

Q&A following How to help anxious children with Sarah Stockham

 

Let's talk about children's mental health

• By Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children. Niall's job is to make sure that children in Ireland are being treated fairly. He investigates complaints and promotes children's rights. 

Q&A following the Ombudsman's presentation

Information stands from a variety of service providers and organisations were available on the day, including Fitter Younger, the Department's Junior Cycle Team, the NCSE, Aladdin, School Fitness Ireland, Kid's Own, Rainbows Ireland, Partnership Schools Ireland
 

Location: The National College of Ireland

Date: 11th June 2022

Time: 10.30am - 4pm