Let’s Support Our Leaving Cert Students To Safely Mark The Occasion By Speaking To Them About Alcohol
Drinkaware the national charity working to prevent and reduce the misuse of alcohol is advising students and parents to have a conversation about mental health and alcohol prior to the leaving cert results being released this Friday.
The call comes as Drinkaware’s annual Barometer 2021 found that 72% of 18–24-year-olds report coping as a motivation for drinking, which includes 'it helps you when you feel depressed or anxious & ‘to cheer up when you are in a bad mood or stressed’ (Compared to 61% national average).
The Leaving Cert results can bring a mixture of emotions for students: for some it will be a celebration, but for others they may feel disappointment, stress, and worry ahead of the CAO offers.
Either way, receiving your Leaving Cert results is a major milestone and all students deserve to celebrate their results.
The charity is advising parents to speak to the young person about their feelings, and to communicate clear boundaries to help them celebrate safely.
