Brian O’Doherty talks with accredited psychotherapist and mental health consultant Sinead Kennedy about the growing pressures on school communities. Sinead shares her journey into psychotherapy, her insights on the surge in anxiety among students and staff, and why school leaders are at high risk of burnout. She introduces Be Well, Lead Well — a new 10-module digital series designed to help leaders prevent burnout through practical, evidence-based strategies. From setting boundaries without guilt to building supportive environments, this conversation offers both honest reflections and actionable tools for sustaining wellbeing in education.THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUTWhy Sinead’s own life experiences drew her into psychotherapy and mental health work.The role schools play in supporting both student wellbeing and staff mental health.Why anxiety is rising among children — and how teachers can better understand and respond to it.Burnout in school leadership: the difference between stress and burnout, and why prevention matters.Setting boundaries without guilt — learning to say “no” to protect your ability to lead.Practical tools and strategies from the Be Well, Lead Well digital series for sustaining long-term wellbeing.GUEST DETAILSSinead is a deeply compassionate and fully accredited psychotherapist, coach, and mental health consultant with a special focus on anxiety. With a BA in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and certifications in CBT, mindfulness, EMDR, the Rewind Technique, suicide intervention (ASIST), substance use intervention (SAOR), Children First safeguarding, and more, she brings a rich, multi-disciplinary approach to every session. Her professional journey includes volunteering with Teenline Ireland and Bodywhys, providing support to teens and those affected by eating disorders, and serving as a Teaching Assistant at the Institute for Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy. MORE INFORMATIONIPPN is the officially-recognised, professional network for the leaders of Irish primary schools. It is an independent, not-for-profit, voluntary association, with a local, regional and national presence.Established in 2000 to address the professional needs of school leaders, IPPN’s focus has been to support school leaders locally and to shape educational policy, practice and priorities nationally. IPPN articulates the collective experience and professional insights of over 6,000 Principals and Deputy Principals.It provides practical resources, professional learning, and peer support to strengthen leadership capacity and sustainability.IPPN also advocates on behalf of school leaders, ensuring their perspectives influence education policy and practice.Its structure includes local Principals’ Support Groups, county networks, and a National Council, all overseen by a Board of Directors.Through national and international partnerships, IPPN works to create an environment where leadership thrives — benefiting pupils, schools, and communities.Learn more about IPPN, and the work they do in education at ippn.ie.QUOTESBy saying yes all of the time to everything, we’re saying no to ourselves. And not that we can’t be there for others when we’re not looking after ourselves, but we can’t be there in the way that we should be – Sinead Kennedy You’re not going to be of much use to somebody if you are completely burnt out and have to leave the profession.  – Sinead KennedyBurnout and stress often get spoken about together, but they’re different — and understanding that difference is the first step to prevention. – Sinead KennedyThere are things within your control — even when it feels like everything is on top of you. – Sinead KennedyFifty percent of school leaders are at high or severe levels of burnout. That’s something we need to think about — and respond to. – Sinead KennedyKEYWORDS#BurnoutPrevention #SchoolLeadership #WellbeingInSchools #TeacherWellbeing #AnxietySupport #MentalHealthAwareness #EducationLeadership #SelfCareForLeaders #BeWellLeadWell 

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