28/10/2022

Over £7.5m Announced For School Mental Health Programmes

More than £7.5 million has been announced for the extension of the Engage and Health Happy Minds programmes in NI's schools.

Education Minister, Michelle McIlveen has announced a further £6.9 million investment in the Engage III and £1.75 million for the Healthy Happy Minds programmes.

Michelle McIlveen said: "The consistent message from principals and school staff is that both these programmes have been invaluable in helping to support pupils across all our educational settings.

"Healthy Happy Minds continues to have a significant and positive impact on the emotional health and well-being of our younger pupils, while the Engage programme continues to support pupils learning and development.

"Both of these schemes were created to help alleviate the impact of the pandemic on our children and young people. It is clear to me that they are working and we cannot afford our children to lose out on the benefits they are providing.

"That is why I have decided to extend both schemes until the end of March 2023 with an overall investment of almost £8.7 million."

Concluding the Minister said: "I know that education settings will welcome this news and will use the funding to best meet the needs of their pupils."


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