Many hands make light work for students

Students who have been lending each other a hand and raising mental health awareness have reported a big change in their Dublin school.

The Need a Hand project at St Joseph’s College in Lucan is one of dozens developed by young people to improve mental health among their peers.

The initiative, led by the student council at St Joseph’s, included the creation of a plastic card with the contact details for eight mental health organisations relevant to young people who might be in distress.

“The council wanted to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues in our school and create a support system that encourages young people to reach out to each other,” said school head girl Maeve DeSay.

The card includes a logo of an outstretched hand, designed by Maeve’s sixth- year classmate Diane Meyler, to symbolise how help is always at hand.

“To date, the project has been a huge success and the positive change in the school atmosphere is amazing,” said Maeve.

Their project was supported by the Think Big programme designed by O2 and youth mental health organisation Headstrong. Through its funding, mentoring, and training, the programme has helped over 120 projects promoting positive mental health since Sept 2010.

Headstrong founder director Tony Bates said: “It is very inspiring to see young people’s commitment to creating positive mental health for their peers. Maeve’s project is an excellent example of how young people, given the opportunity, have an important role to play in changing how we think about mental health.”

At an event marking the success of the St Joseph’s project, Children and Youth Affairs Minister Frances Fitzgerald said she and fellow minister Kathleen Lynch would be taking young people’s views on board as they sought to improve child and adolescent mental health services.

Meanwhile, training and lesson plans for teachers have been organised by eating disorders association Bodywhys and the Department of Education to help staff respond to body image issues in schools.

* The Think Big campaign welcomes new projects, ideas can be submitted at www.o2thinkbig.ie