Neart

Neart – the Irish word for strength, is the new national programme of mental health and wellbeing resources and training for post-primary schools that will be delivered by Jigsaw.

These comprehensive supports have been developed by Jigsaw in partnership with the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and with the Department of Education. The programme will complement the supports already available in schools such as the provision of guidance counselling and the work of NEPS, as well as other existing wellbeing programmes and initiatives including Student Support Team training.

The Neart webpage https://jigsaw.ie/neart/ provides all the relevant information schools and parents require about the programme of supports and what’s on offer throughout 2025.

What the programme provides

Support for students through building teacher capacity:

• enhance the capacity of Student Support Teams to actively seek and respond to the voice of young people in relation to wellbeing and mental health in schools
• provide learning opportunities for students that promote mental health and wellbeing

Support for parents:

• enhance parent/carer involvement in wellbeing school initiatives and engagement in promoting wellbeing and mental health in the school community
• enhance Student Support Teams to actively seek and respond to the voice of parent/ guardian in relation to wellbeing and mental health in schools
• provide psychoeducation on the promotion of wellbeing/mental health for parents via webinars and e-Learning opportunities

Supports for school staff:

• build capacity of staff to promote whole school approaches to wellbeing and mental health awareness
• enhance training and support for Student Support Teams to raise awareness of positive mental health and wellbeing