Cyprus’ Education Ministry has released an overview of its mental‑health and resilience initiatives in schools, saying its Educational Psychology Service is broadening prevention programs, crisis‑response capacity and support for students with learning and emotional needs.
According to the ministry, the service now operates across five interconnected areas. Its individual‑case and counselling unit remains the core of its clinical work, providing psychological assessments, diagnoses and tailored support for students, families and teachers. Officials said this work often identifies pupils who require special‑education services or additional learning assistance.
A second area focuses on school‑wide prevention programs aimed at strengthening resilience and reducing risks such as bullying, school violence, academic failure and social‑emotional difficulties. These programs include structured interventions delivered at the level of the school community.
The crisis‑management division provides immediate psychological support following emergencies and helps schools develop protocols for responding to traumatic or disruptive events. The ministry said this role has expanded in recent years as schools face a wider range of crises.
The service also contributes to national education policy, advising on measures that promote mental health, inclusion and student well‑being. A fifth area involves supervised clinical training for university students preparing to become educational psychologists, which the ministry described as essential for developing future professionals.
Educational psychologists also conduct training sessions for teachers and parents on learning difficulties, neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional challenges, school climate and acceptance of diversity. Officials said these efforts aim to strengthen the capacity of schools and families to respond to students’ needs.
The ministry noted that the service is a central mechanism for implementing the prevention pillar of Cyprus’ National Mental Health Strategy for 2025–2028, supporting evidence‑based interventions and crisis‑response practices across the school system.