A significant link between exercise and mental health has been identified in a new study.
The SLAN national health and lifestyle survey is being conducted by a team co-ordinated by Ms Sharon Friel at NUI Galway.
One of its findings is that people who exercise once a week have better mental health than those who fail to exercise, according to a presentation on the survey at a recent health promotion conference at NUI Galway.
Those who exercise also do better in terms of their overall quality of life - a concept which includes physical and mental well-being and other factors.
Education, employment and gender are also linked to mental health and quality of life.
In general, men have a better quality of life and better mental health than women. People with no education or only primary education have relatively poor mental health compared to those who completed second- or third-level education.
Mental health problems lower a person's quality of life, the survey found.
Quality of life was measured by asking people to assess themselves on 26 questions covering mental, physical, social and environmental aspects of their lives.
The conference also heard advice on how schools should help teachers to learn to identify students at risk of suicide. If such an event occurred post-primary schools should have a crisis plan ready.
The Mid Western Health Board has a programme to work with career guidance teachers on the issue.
Ms Mary O'Sullivan of the health board said school suicides were relatively rare but schools should be prepared to cope with the bereavement of pupils, teachers and parents.
In 1998 and 1999 three students under 15 committed suicide. The number of student suicides over that age is difficult to assess as they are included in the general 15-24 age category.
Ms O'Sullivan is a research officer and part-time suicide resource officer with the board.