“The system of psychological support in education: From risk management to psychological development and wellbeing”: conference summary

Russian conference “The system of psychological support in education: From risk management to psychological development and wellbeing” was held on November, 22-23. More than 700 specialists from 40 Russian regions participated in the event.

The first day was made up of round tables and discussions in groups organized by Lomonosov Moscow State University, St. Petersburg State University, Russian Academy of Education, Center of emergency psychological aid of Russian Emergencies Ministry and the others. Their work dealt with the system psychological support in education, including the most topical issues of terrorism prevention at school, vocational counseling of students, psychologists’ role in facilitation of communication between the school and the family, professional standards and training of school psychologists.

On the second day a plenary session was arranged at the Ministry of Science and Education with reports from Olga Vasilyeva (the minister of education) and representatives of Healthcare and Emergencies ministries as well as leading academicians. Plenary speakers highlighted the important strategic goals: elaboration of strategy of psychological support of education and improvement of it legislative basis, including preparation of federal bill to regulate psychological support.

Suggested practical steps are: development of performance criteria and monitoring system for psychological service in education; launch of web-portals for psychologists in the Russian educational system as well as for psychological education of parents and teachers; development of prevention programs fro different youth risk groups.