Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP), Christoph Return (Neos) and Korinna Schumann (Spö) responded on 2 July, according to the Council of Ministers, the focus of the mental health of children and adolescents. So far, Austria has been “uninterrupted” in prevention programs, school psychology and social work at school.
Minister of Education Christoph returns (Neos) In the beginning, the meeting summarizes a few words: “We must concentrate on mental health.” According to him, an expansion of prevention programs, more staff in school psychology and social work at school and compulsory “exit conversations” are planned if the school can be dropped in children or adolescents.
Stress and mental disorders have increased “in particular since Pandemie”, but “international crises” and challenges also relate to digital media, would increasingly have an influence on children and adolescents.
“Schools must be a safe place”
Schools must be “a safe place” – not only since the devastating school -Amoclauf in Graz, in which eleven people died. The increase in psychosocial support staff was already announced in the government program.
However, the events of 10 June were crucial for a rapid implementation of the package of measures that focused on improving the mental health of children and adolescents:
- Personal sacrificing: This is aimed at doubling employees in the school psychological area within the next three years and extra staff or school social work at federal schools. Social work at school is an offer of support that advises and accompanied students, parents and teachers, for example in crises. The number of school psychologists and the budget must be doubled for this.
- External activities Must be brought into the classroom, such as workshops and further training on the topics of mental health. The fight should be announced.
The Minister of Education regards the plan as demanding, but feasible. He denied that current psychologists could not even be occupied. They will also try to work more attractively.
From 2026, in addition to the existing workshops, there must also be their own offers in addition to the existing workshops for adolescation with regard to psychosocial support and mental health.
Family Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP): Plakolm remembered that Mental health is still often a “taboo or” hyped trend “.
Your appeal to young people: “Talk and talk about it because it is extremely important.” Parents and friends would first of all act as important ‘worries’, but also the grumpy number or ‘advice on thread’ offer help at any time. “You absolutely don’t have to finish it alone if you feel bad,” said Plakolm.
Minister of Health Korinna Schumann (Spö) emphasized how important support for “young people were mainly in transition times”. Thoughts of school aborting, the transition from the compulsory school to teaching – there are many examples in which youth coaching teenagers can support teenagers.
The aim is to formulate the training path in collaboration with suitable support systems such as B. To accompany the youth coaching of the Ministry of Social Affairs or the AMS as well as possible and to identify “psychosocial risk factors” on the other hand and to initiate further steps.
Focus on students
The focus is currently primarily on students, extremism prevention and conflict management. The “Healthy From the Crisis” project would also continue, the 24-hour support for “men and boys” also in crisis situations.
Source: Krone
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