Young Mental Health Matters

Posted at 1:33 pm on 10th October, 2019

Let’s Talk About Mental Health Conference

On 4th October, Wellacre’s Wellbeing and Mental Health Ambassadors from Years 8 to 11 joined the Let’s Talk About Mental Health Conference at the Gorse Hill Studios.  As well as attending workshops, students also won a ‘Dragon’s Den’ challenge and will be visited by the Young Health Matters team to help action their creative ideas to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in school.

The conference was aimed at both students and adults working with children (including teachers, GPs, counsellors, mental health practitioners, NHS staff, police officers) and encouraged attendees to work together to focus on the differing aspects of mental health within everyday life.

Students participated in various workshops throughout the day to work with and learn from specialists and inspirational speakers. Anna Jackson, a Paralympic athlete and ex-professional wheelchair basketball player delivered a workshop entitled ‘Coping with life when it deals you rubbish cards.'  Other areas included mental Health in the male population, coping mechanisms and ways to wellbeing.

Wellacre staff, Mrs Birney, Inclusion Manager, and Mr Dempsey, Assistant Head of House, also took part in specific training which not only matched the students’ workshops but also focused upon strategies to help students suffering with mental health issues and how Wellacre can raise awareness to minimise the stigma attached to mental health in school.

Matthew, Year 10 student, said:

“I loved the workshops. A quote that has really stuck with me is: ‘through struggle comes strength!’ I will use this when I'm struggling with my own wellbeing” 

The day culminated in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ challenge, with students tasked with brainstorming ideas on how they would like the Young Mental Health Matters team to help them raise awareness or assist within a project at school. 

All the student teams from local high schools, colleges and sixth forms presented to a panel of four mental health practitioners in front of the whole audience.  Team “Wellbeing for Wellacre” were recognised for their understanding and commitment to providing peer support and raising awareness in school by being crowned the winners.

Mrs Birney, Inclusion Manager, said:

“We were so proud that students were rewarded for their ideas, which show their high level of understanding of the issues of mental health and wellbeing and we await a visit from Young Mental Health Matters to help us start putting their plans into action!

“We are looking forward to working together as a team to use all the information, strategies and techniques gathered throughout the conference to help raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing at school”

A huge well done to Wellacre’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Ambassadors: Alex and George, Year 8, Daniel, Adam, Michael and Niall, Year 9, Edward, Matthew and Jamie, Year 10, and Leon, Year 11.