Increase in student self-harm, Ministry of Education: Cross-ministerial coordination for mental health referral channel
Taiwan's Ministry of Education is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish a 'green channel' for mental health referrals, aiming to address a significant increase in student self-harm cases and ensure continuity of education.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 21:19
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 21:32 (12 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 23:55 (50h 23m after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA) - Taipei, April 16 - The National Education Industry Union pointed out today that the number of reported student suicide and self-harm cases in all levels of schools has increased significantly in recent years, from 1,155 in fiscal year 2016 to 20,271 in fiscal year 2024, calling for integrated support systems to prevent emotional distress and mental illness from interrupting students' right to education. The Ministry of Education (MOE) stated in a written response to CNA that it is cooperating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on early intervention for students with severe emotional behaviors. Regarding the 'green channel' for mental health referrals, it includes opening special outpatient clinics, increasing quotas, and providing telemedicine consultations, especially for remote and island areas. It also involves integrating day care services from medical institutions with special education services. Currently, through cross-ministerial coordination and cooperation mechanisms, the MOHW is assessing medical resources and the distribution of institutional bases to strengthen the衔接 between medical and educational support.
The MOE also stated that the 'Student Counseling Act' requires schools to provide developmental, interventional, and remedial counseling (three-tiered counseling) based on students' physical and mental conditions and needs, and to provide individualized education programs (IEPs) through professional teams. In fiscal year 2024, the MOE established the 'Support Service Center for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Issues' and subsidizes local governments in setting up problem-solving teams for emotional and behavioral issues, as well as continuously training specialized support teachers for emotional and behavioral issues. (Editor: Guan Chung-wei) 2026-04-16.
Cherish life, suicide cannot solve problems, life will definitely find a way out; if you need counseling or related assistance, please call the life hotline '1995', Zhang Teacher service hotline '1980', or the MOHW安心 (Anxin) hotline '1925'.
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The MOE also stated that the 'Student Counseling Act' requires schools to provide developmental, interventional, and remedial counseling (three-tiered counseling) based on students' physical and mental conditions and needs, and to provide individualized education programs (IEPs) through professional teams. In fiscal year 2024, the MOE established the 'Support Service Center for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Issues' and subsidizes local governments in setting up problem-solving teams for emotional and behavioral issues, as well as continuously training specialized support teachers for emotional and behavioral issues. (Editor: Guan Chung-wei) 2026-04-16.
Cherish life, suicide cannot solve problems, life will definitely find a way out; if you need counseling or related assistance, please call the life hotline '1995', Zhang Teacher service hotline '1980', or the MOHW安心 (Anxin) hotline '1925'.
Stand with the facts. Your sponsorship is the power to protect journalistic freedom.
Download the CNA 'First News' APP for real-time updates.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or transmitted and utilized without authorization.
Keywords: