Boost for mental health programme

MORE than 18,500 students in secondary schools in every county in Ireland have taken part in Aware’s revised positive mental health programme Beat the Blues in the past four months.

Devised by Aware under the guidance and direction of the organisation’s clinical director Dr Claire Hayes, the programme is funded by the Tesco Charity of the Year scheme.

It focuses on positive mental health and how to deal with challenges in life, as well as building strength and resilience for the future.

Dr Hayes said educating young people at this age about mental health is vital.

“We know that the more coping tools a person has, the better their outcome in times of stress,

? she stated.

“Beat the Blues is a proactive programme and helps young people develop the resources to deal with any issues they face now or in the future.

“The key message of the programme is that there are always helpful actions that young people can choose, no matter how unhappy, distressed or worried they may feel.

“We are delighted with the feedback we have had and we look forward to bringing it to many more schools before the summer holidays.

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Beat the Blues is available free of charge to every secondary school in Ireland, thanks to the fundraising efforts of the 15,000 Tesco staff members nationwide, and its customers, as part of the Tesco Charity of the Year Programme 2012 and 2013.

More information on Beat the Blues, as well as booking, is available on www.aware.ie