Mental Health Promotion Talk for Secondary School Students

Transition year classes in Taylor’s Hill (approx. 60 students)

Purpose

The transition year students had to work on a young social innovators project and chose mental health promotion to focus upon. The aim of my talk with students was to raise awareness of how to identify mental health issues within the students themselves and among their peers, and to know how to respond and ask for help. Breaking the taboo about how we view mental illness was one key objective. While understanding the need to address mental health issues was further an important goal

Impact

Students expressed having a better understanding of what mental illness is and how common it actually is among young people in Ireland. Students felt that they now would be clearer on how to respond when supporting a friend who may be living with mental health issues, or how to identify if they themselves were experiencing mental ill health and where to seek support. Finally, students understood the limits of confidentiality between friends when a concern for mental wellbeing and safety occurs and that sharing this information with an adult is essential in these circumstances.

Leaving cert classes St Enda’s (approx. 100 students)

 

Purpose

As part of mental health week in St. Enda’s school, the career guidance counsellor invited me to speak to Leaving Cert students about promoting their mental health and wellbeing. The aim of this talk was to discuss with students what to expect in relation to exam stress, and when they may need to speak to an adult they trust and ask for help. Key objectives were to explore how mental ill health may affect a young person, and look at techniques for coping with exam stress.

Impact

Students engaged really well and asked questions throughout. The students found the simple things they can do to promote their mental health and wellbeing interesting. While the breathing techniques exercise was particularly well received with students commenting on how calming this felt. Students felt more informed and better able to recognise symptoms of mental illness should they experience them or be concerned for a peer.


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