Taking ACTION!
Innovating for Mental Health
Mental health continues to be highlighted as a recurring issue of concern among Irish teenagers. Here are just some examples of young people taking ACTION on this issue through Young Social Innovators' programmes.
How do these stories inspire you?
Let It Out Before You Cut It Out
Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont, Dublin 9 (2013)
The Idea
To educate students about self harm.
The ACTION
This team created an information booklet about the issue of self harm after detailed research and collaboration with various support organisations. They organised a school-wide awareness week and developed a pack for the Junior Cycle Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) syllabus. They also highlighted the issue to their school’s parents association and board of management, and to the wider local community, by publishing information in local parish bulletins and conducting media interviews with Near FM. To raise awareness of the importance of mental health, school presentations were provided by representatives from Mental Health Ireland and the Samaritans.
The Impact
The YSI project team has taught younger classes in their school about the subject of self harm and have brought the issue to students, parents, teachers and the wider community. They now plan to distribute self harm booklet packs and Junior and Senior SPHE educator packs to schools all over Ireland.