We're sharing a quick update on what the coronavirus outbreak means for our events and initiatives over the next while, and let you know where you can get some helpful resources and supports.
We know that this is a strange and often challenging time, with the response to coronavirus leading to some more changes and developments for all of us.
Here, our Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) Project Manager, Amanda McArdle, shares a quick update on what this means for our events and initiatives over the next while, and lets you know where you can get some helpful resources and supports.
Living with the impact of coronavirus is a new experience for us all. Measures like closing schools and introducing social distancing are so important for protecting our health, but it’s still ok to feel confused and concerned about what’s happening. We wanted to let you all know that WIMS is still here and still very active, and that we have lots of supports and resources to help boost our mental health and wellbeing at this time.
Events
Like everyone else, we want to do our bit to prevent the spread of coronavirus. That means we’ve postponed all our events for the moment, but stay tuned here to our website where we’ll share updates when we have new plans in place.
Our Mission Possible school achievement awards are still underway, and teachers can enter their school’s mental health projects and initiatives before our deadline of 8 May. This year, we’ll be taking a creative approach to announcing the results: instead of hosting our usual awards ceremony, watch out for a new online experience to celebrate our winning schools.
If you took part in our 2019/20 Transition Year Programme, we have had to postpone our graduation ceremony, which was set to take place in May. Don’t worry though – we’ll celebrate with you later on in the year, with details to be announced later.
Throughout the year, we host a number of events and training opportunities for teachers, which, again, we’ve put on hold for the meantime. If you’re a teacher who was planning to come to one of these events, or are just looking for mental health supports and activities you can share with your classes remotely, we have plenty of resources for primary and secondary school students you might like to take a look at.
Resources
At a time like this, it can be helpful to practice self-care and try some different activities to take a break from the constant news and discussion about what’s happening around us.
Our #MindYourSelfie resources have lots of ideas to get you started. Among them, we have a series of guided relaxation audio exercises, printable mindfulness colouring sheets, wellness journals and calendars, and Selfie Tips games promoting self-esteem. You can see the full range and try them all out here.
We’re also gathering and constantly updating a list of organisations and campaigns giving balanced, reliable information and support around coronavirus, which you can check out here.
Over the next few weeks, we will also be creating and releasing new resources and content– so don’t forget to come back soon to see what’s new.
School Portal
Last year, we launched Ireland’s first School Portal giving primary and secondary schools a central place to capture and share the great work they’re doing to promote mental health and wellbeing with students. Now, with schools closed, teachers all across the country are playing such an important role in helping students to keep a positive attitude by coming up with creative ideas for remote learning and activities to do at home – and this is something we think is worth shouting about! We’d love for you to take a look at the portal and add your own projects and ideas to it – the more we can share and celebrate with each other, the even greater impact our ideas can make!
Social Media
We’re all in this together! Please stay in touch and connect with us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook - share your favorite WIMS resources, let us know what you’re doing to lift your spirits, and tell us what we can do to help each other through this time.
If there’s anything we can help with or if you want more information about any of our campaigns and initiatives, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing me at info@walkinmyshoes.ie.
Stay safe and well everyone!
Amanda
