Publication of report on the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework review
By James Holohan
Posted: 31 July, 2025
Four key recommendations for future Higher Education Authority policy on student mental health and suicide prevention have been identified following a review of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.
The Framework was originally launched in 2020 as part of the HEA’s commitment to play its part in delivering on the Department of Health’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy – ‘Connecting for Life’.
The aim of the Framework was to provide a national framework within which Ireland’s higher education system could address the issues of student mental health and suicide prevention in a structured and planned way.
To inform this new review, the HEA facilitated online consultation meetings between January and February 2025 with key stakeholders across higher education and mental health.
The Review Report has four key recommendations:
- An independent revision of the framework should be commissioned to streamline implementation actions and give more guidance to HEIs.
- Meaningful, measurable indicators should be agreed to monitor and evaluate impact and progress in various areas including Service provision; Awareness raising initiatives; Interventions for students; Training for staff; Interventions for at-risk groups.
- National Guidance should be developed on: Policy development (e.g. postvention, campus audit); Framework alignment (Healthy Campus & NSMHSPF); Embedding Mental Health Promotion and Wellbeing in the Curriculum.
- A national approach to links to external services should be established.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, said:
“I welcome the publication of the review of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework and commend the HEA and all of the stakeholders who have engaged in this important review. The publication of this report and the recommendations are a critical step in paving the way to providing a strategic and student focused model of supports as we seek to address mental health issues for students.”
HEA CEO, Dr Alan Wall, said:
‘Young people undertaking study at third level undergo a major life transition. By supporting a student’s mental health and wellbeing we improve their experience of higher education and see a positive impact on their academic achievement. This review provides a solid foundation to progress work in this important area.’
As part of its broader sectoral objective of supporting students on their journey to success, the HEA has been engaged with policy development and implementation in the area of health and wellbeing in the higher education sector.
In addition to this framework, in 2022 the HEA formally took over the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework, which was cocreated by HE stakeholders and the Department of Health under the Healthy Ireland umbrella. This framework aims to embed health and wellbeing more broadly within institutions and provides strategic direction on developing a whole-campus approach to health and wellbeing.
In addition to these frameworks, there has been an allocation in funding for mental health and wellbeing supports for students, to publicly funded HEIs of €5m annually since 2020.
To access the Review Report, go to out page on Mental Health Framework.
