We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting a Mental Health Information Day for teachers and others who work with children and young people next month. This event will take place on Friday, April 26th in St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin 8.
Children and young people spend up to one third of their childhood in school and so their experience there can have a major impact on their mental health.
We see the great work that Irish schools are doing to promote positive mental health and wellbeing. This is so vital in developing and encouraging a mentally healthy school environment for children, young people and staff.
We want to continue to support schools to develop greater understanding and awareness about mental health and wellbeing so that children and young people can go on to live mentally healthy lives and have fulfilling childhoods.
We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting a Mental Health Information Day for teachers and others who work with children and young people next month. This event will take place on Friday, April 26th in St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin 8.
This full day training will cover a broad range of topics related to mental health in the classroom and has been designed with teachers and those who work with children in mind.
The topics the day will cover include:
- How to create a mentally healthy school community and why this is so important to do,
- LGBT+, Gender and mental health,
- Anxiety and young people,
- Emotional and behavioural issues in the classroom
- How and why it is important to practice self-care
Tickets cost €15, which is to cover the cost of lunch and refreshments provided. Book your place today on Eventbrite.
Programme
10.00 – 10.30 Registration and refreshments
10.30 – 10.35 Welcome and introduction
10.35 – 11.05 Creating a mentally healthy school community – Research shows that 75% of all mental difficulties first emerge between the ages of 15 and 25 and we also know that introducing mental health education at an early age is key to prevention, raising awareness and encouraging young people to seek help when required.
Paul Gilligan, CEO St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
11.05 – 12.00 LGBT+, gender and mental health – BeLonG To issued a report in January 2018 which found that 70% of LGBT+ young people felt that school was not a safe place for them. Their report on October 30th 2018 found that 90% of Irish LGBT young people struggle with mental health.
Laura Louise Condell is an experienced facilitator and trainer with a focus on mental health, sexual health and the LGBTQIA+ community
12.0 – 1.00 Lunch
1.00 – 2.00 Anxiety and the capacity to learn – Dr Smyth will discuss the impact anxiety has on online and offline identity formation in young people and the relevance of your own social media footprint on this work.
Dr Mark Smyth, Senior Clinical Psychologist at Swords CAMHS
2.00 – 2.30 Emotional and Behavioural Issues in the ClassroomPresentation of mental health difficulties and ADHD in the classroom will be covered. Tips for teachers on classroom management and useful resources will be highlighted.
Dr Aileen Murtagh, Assistant Medical Director with Special Responsibility for Adolescent Mental Health Services & Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
2.30 – 3.00 Ways to create a positive mental health environment in schools – There are many ways to do this, including using the Walk in My Shoes resources to develop positive mental wellbeing, building a Wellness Wall in high visibility areas, entering competitions that get young people thinking and talking about mental health
Siobhán Fitzharris, Walk in My Shoes Project Manager, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
3.00 – 3.45 Self-Care: Minding Your Own Mental Health Why it’s important to practice it? It’s important to practice what we preach. If Teachers and those who work with young people don’t manage their own mental health, then they are not leading by example. Self-care is important, it’s not selfish and it needs to done regularly. This session will offer practical ways to incorporate self-care into a busy work day
Louise O’Leary, SPMHS Advocacy Manager, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
3.45 – 4.00 – Closing and feedback