Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, has secured funding from the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund, to deliver 20 mental health seminars for secondary students in schools in Cork, Dublin, Donegal, Limerick, Kilkenny and Galway.
The seminars will last for one hour and can be done in person in Dublin or via Zoom if in Cork, Donegal, Limerick, Kilkenny or Galway. The seminar will give students tips and tools on how to deal with anxiety, depression and exam pressures. Afterwards, the schools will be given posters and brochures which they can print out and put around the schools, and can email to their students. As these seminars will be covered by the grant, it will be totally free for schools, teachers and students.
“We were delighted to secure this funding from the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund!” Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me, said, “Already, there is a good interest in this project. We are delighted to be able to reach students and help them deal with anxiety, depression and tips on how to deal with exam pressures. Any schools interested in this project should reach out to us ASAP to book their slots.”
Irish Youth Foundation CEO, Lucy Masterson said: “We know that good mental and emotional health are essential in order for young people to thrive, yet the last two years have been especially difficult for them. Helping young people to strengthen their resilience and assist them in managing their anxiety is key to counteracting this. We’re proud to be supporting these free Mental Health Seminars, funded through the Vhi Health & Wellbeing fund, which will work towards this goal. I would urge schools across these areas to make use of them.”
Brighid Smyth, Vhi said: “At Vhi, our mission is to help our customers live longer, stronger, healthier lives but we also want our local communities to have the opportunity to achieve this goal too. Through the Vhi Health and Wellbeing Fund we wanted to support young people and help the organisations they engage with to provide the supports that are so critical at the moment to help them navigate this period, strengthen their resilience and manage their anxiety. Turn2Me was a worthy grant recipient last year and at Vhi we look forward to learning of the impact these seminars have on young people.”
Places will be given on a first come, first served basis, to schools in the aforementioned areas. If places for these seminars are filled, Turn2Me will create a waiting list.
Should any teacher in Cork, Donegal, Limerick, Kilkenny, Galway or Dublin wish to avail of these free mental health seminars, they can email Turn2Me’s Clinical Manager, Suzanne Ennis, on suzanne@Turn2Me.org to book their place.
