-Automatic translation

The agreement stems from the emphasis on strengthening social and emotional skills outlined in the Icelandic national suicide prevention action plan(Icelandic), released in March this year. A key part of international suicide prevention efforts is to improve social and emotional competence in children and adolescents, helping them build resilience and the ability to handle life’s challenges. In the Icelandic plan, this focus is explicitly addressed through an initiative on prevention and health promotion, advocating formalised collaboration between the Directorate of Health and the Directorate of Education and School Services in this area.

The goal of systematically developing social and emotional skills in children and young people is not only a part of suicide prevention but also a vital element of the government’s mental health policy and education policy until 2030. The action plan for the mental health policy (Icelandic) advocates for implementing evidence-based methods for mental health promotion in primary schools, while the education policy action plan (Icelandic) emphasises increasing focus on mental health promotion and social and emotional learning both within schools and in teacher training and professional development.

The Directorate of Health and the Directorate of Education and School Services have, for many years, enjoyed successful collaboration in life skills education and social and emotional learning in schools. Their partnership has built strong relationships and mutual trust, which has proven valuable in their work with schools nationwide. This new agreement marks a further step towards a more formal and focused cooperation, ensuring that the combined expertise of both institutions in this field is utilised to benefit school practice nationwide.

Both institutions hope that this agreement will lay a strong foundation for high-quality social and emotional teaching within Icelandic schools, supporting a rise in educational standards and improved well-being for children and young people in the years ahead.

More information
Sigrún Daníelsdóttir, Project Manager, Mental Health, sigrun.danielsdottir@landlaeknir.is
Guðrún Jóna Guðlaugsdóttir, Project Manager, Suicide Prevention, gudrun.j.gudlaugsdottir@landlaeknir.is