Mental Health Awareness Day 2015

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY 2015

Thursday, October 15th 2015 marked our second Mental Health Awareness Day as we took the time to consider our own and others mental health and to reduce the negative stigma that is often associated with mental health. The emphasis is on raising awareness of what we can do to help ourselves and others if we/they are not feeling mentally well.

“PROBLEMS FEEL SMALLER WHEN WE SHARE THEM”

Everyone suffers from mental health problems at times, and such temporary problems do not necessarily lead to mental illness. It is important to seek help as soon as you can. It is ok not to feel ok and it’s more than ok to ask for help.

The day’s programme included:

• A Student Letter which outlined the day’s events;
• SPHE Class Lesson in 2nd and 3rd Year that focused on coping skills;
• Lunchtime Debate held in the learning centre.

Mental Health Talks:

• 2nd/6th Year: Donal Scanlon – Saint John of God Hospital.
• 4th/5th Year: Marc Mulligan – Outside the Comfort Zone.
• 3rd/6th Year: Ian Mooney and Laura Louise Clelland – See Change Ambassadors.

Lunchtime Stands/Displays: Pieta House, Teen Between, Samaritans, St John of God Hospital and the Dublin Counsellors all provided information stands where students could access information on a range of mental health services and resources.

Poster and T.V Displays: The poster campaign focused on ‘The Little Things’ that we can all do to help try and improve our mental health.

“DO THINGS WTH OTHERS, THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS”
THANK YOU TO …

– the teachers of SPHE, Ms Bhreathnach, Ms Kelleher and Mr Byrne for their delivery of the
class lesson.
– Ms Marrey for facilitating the debate in the Learning Centre.
– the teachers of Period 1 who took the time to read through the Student Letter.
– the Deans for their facilitation in the attendance of their year groups at the talks and for the distribution of the Student letter.
– Ms McGee for her leadership, innovation, concern.

“LENDING AN EAR IS LENDING A HAND”