All teachers should receive training in communication skills, according to 200 youth representatives who attended the seventh annual Dáil na nÓg yesterday.
Delegates at the Croke Park event also voted in favour of the introduction of accessible youth cafes in all areas, which would provide a "safe space" to seek help on drug and alcohol issues and other problems.
They also supported the introduction of free or subsidised mandatory Gaeltacht or foreign trips for pre-examination years, and said a visit to school guidance counsellors should be obligatory "to remove stigma and encourage mental health services".
These were among the 19 recommendations, out of a list of 20 put forward to a vote, that were supported following yesterday's session of the Dáil na nÓg, or youth parliament. The themes this year were education reform and mental health.
Delegates, who are elected by the 34 Comhairle na nÓg throughout the country, then chose three statements in each category to be prioritised this year.
In the mental health area, they voted for accessible youth cafes, a positive advertising campaign outlining the effects of suicide on family and friends, and more funding for mental health services for young people.
On education reform, they recommended that language subjects should be more conversational and relevant to everyday life, with pre-examination years taking part in mandatory subsidised or free Gaeltacht and foreign trips.
They also said there should be more of a focus on the oral aspect and culture in the teaching of all languages, while in third place was a recommendation that "all teachers must receive training in guidance counselling and communication skills".
Another interesting recommendation in this category stated that "externally examined continuous assessment should make up 60 per cent of the final [ exam] results".
Thomas Atcha (19), who arrived here from Togo as an unaccompanied minor two years ago, was a delegate to last year's Dáil na nÓg and is a council member for this year.
Mr Atcha is currently studying for his Leaving Certificate and lives in a direct provision centre in Sligo. He is awaiting the outcome of his appeal against a refusal to grant him asylum.
He said he believed real progress had been made on issues such as the media portrayal of young people and road safety, which were highlighted last year.
Council members had met senior politicians, an Oireachtas committee and newspaper editors to outline their views, he said.
"Events such as this are very positive. If for example, I say I want to do something that I think is going to benefit my county, and I think nobody will appreciate it, then I might say why bother?" he said.
"But if I got drunk and stumble around on the street in the morning, they will come and take a picture to make a headline.
"So this is a really nice place for young people to have their voice heard."
Dáil na nÓg is overseen and funded by the Office of the Minister for Children, Brendan Smith, who also attended yesterday's event.
Top 6 recommendations
Education Reform
1Language subjects should be more conversational and relevant to everyday life. Pre-examined years should take part in mandatory Gaeltacht and foreign trips that are paid for, or subsidised;
2More focus on the oral aspect and culture in the teaching of all languages;
3All teachers must receive training in guidance counselling and communication skills.
Mental Health
1Accessible youth cafes in all areas. Open when needed to provide a safe space to seek help on drug and alcohol issues and other problems;
2A positive advertising campaign that shows real life experiences and the effects of suicide on family and friends;
3More funding for mental health services for young people, including advertising and school programmes.