It is official! We are now a Cycle Against Suicide Ambassador school!
In order to become an Ambassador school for this amazing organisation, we had to satisfy 5 criteria. Mental Health Education was criteria number one. For this, various speakers and talks were organised throughout the year to promote positive mental health in our school. This ensures Mental Health Education is given a more central focus throughout the school.
Secondly, was project work. Ms. Leetch’s TY Mental Health Team wrote a book called Mind Matters. This book was created to: promote positive mental health, encourage people to seek help if they need it, and to remove the stigma attached to speaking about one’s mental health. This book has also succeeded in getting through to the All-Ireland Student Enterprise Awards final.
The next three criteria were carried out simultaneously – Community Involvement, Schools Go Orange and Get Active. A dodgeball tournament and a spin-a-thon were organised to highlight the benefit of exercise for our mental health. Both members of our school community and our local community had the opportunity to take part in these activities. Students were encouraged to wear orange as a symbol of their dedication to the suicide prevention message “It’s okay not to feel okay, and absolutely okay to ask for help”. The group cycled 247km to highlight the fact that we must look after our mental health 24 hours a day,7 days a week. Working on these five criteria has been a very positive and enjoyable experience for all involved.
The ceremony for this award will take place in September.
