Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2026.
Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Education (a) what training is provided to student leaders to recognise early warning signs of suicidal ideation or severe distress among students; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider strengthening age-appropriate peer-support training so that students know how to seek help for themselves or their friends and escalate concerns to trusted adults.
Through Character and Citizenship Education, all students are taught to look out for and care for one another. They are also encouraged to seek help by approaching a trusted adult when they or their peers are in distress. In addition, schools provide training to students who are Peer Support Leaders (PSLs) to look out for classmates in distress and provide age-appropriate help, such as offering comfort and encouraging help-seeking. Older PSLs are trained in active listening, responding with empathy and positive coping strategies.
As students, PSLs are not expected to identify suicidal ideation or provide peer counselling. They are taught to alert a trusted adult if they have concerns about their peers with which they are unable to help. Teachers regularly meet the PSLs to support their capacity development and well-being.
PAPERCUTS