Coláiste Abbain flies mental health flag
COLÁISTE ABBAIN students were recently awarded an Amber Flag for highlighting mental health through various initiatives in the school.
Organised by Pieta House, the aim of the Amber Flag initiative is to advocate and actively bring about a culture change in the promotion of positive mental health within the educational system and other organisations. The initiative is to enhance the good work that is already taking place in an organisation by offering an award and to raise awareness of the importance of positive mental health and reduce the stigmas associated with it. It is also hoped to stimulate young people and the wider community to talk, connect with one another and to share advice and information.
In September 2017, Coláiste Abbáin embarked on the process of being awarded the Amber Flag. To qualify, the first step was to establish an Amber Flag project team which had to comprise a cross-section of the school community, with the majority being students. One staff member must act as co-ordinaor and in Coláiste Abbáin, Ms Fiona Quirke was the co-ordinator. The students involved were chosen from each school year. The next step for the school was to host mental health awareness programmes in the school and to hold a fundraiser for a charity that promotes positive mental health. Coláiste Abbáin raised awareness when they were involved in a range of activities such as Fancy Dress Friday and Christmas Card fundraisers in aid of Wexford Mental Health; designing posters on mental health awareness issues which included phone numbers for student services and participating in the ‘Schools Go Orange’ day with the message ‘It’s OK not to feel OK; and it’s absolutely OK to ask for help’. The school can now proudly fly their Amber Flag and look forward to continuing their efforts on promoting positive mental health in the school and in the community.