Teens tackle mental health

YOUNG PEOPLE from more than 20 secondary schools across county Wexford gathered to voice their opinions on issues that affect them for the Comhairle na nÓg AGM.

Comhairle na nÓg is a council for children and young people aged 12 to 17. It gives them a voice and a chance to discuss local policies and services.

The Comhairle AGM took place in Wexford County Council buildings and this year’s topics included LGBTQI, education, mental health and discrimination. There was also a wild card option for the participants to select their own topic or issue.

Existing student members who have worked for two years with Comhairle were replaced with new students from the 21 participating schools at the AGM.

‘The AGM was very much a youth-led event and the topics that appeared to be most popular was mental health,’ said youth worker from Comhairle na nÓg Paula Kelly

The new members of Comhairle will meet throughout the year and discuss exactly what needs to be addressed and dealt with in terms of mental health.

The schools that take part are Bridgetown Vocational College; Bunclody Vocational College; CBS Wexford Colaiste Eamonn Ris; CBS New Ross; Colaiste Abbain Adamstown; Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy; Creagh College, Gorey; Enniscorthy Vocational College; FCJ Bunclody; Kennedy College, New Ross; Coláiste an Átha, Kilmuckridge; Loreto Secondary School, Wexford; Meanscoil Gharman, Enniscorthy; Presentation Secondary School, Wexford; Selskar College, Wexford; St Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy; St Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross; St Peter’s College, Wexford; Wexford Youth Train; Our Lady of Fatima, Wexford; Coolcotts FDYS Wexford and Gorey Youth Needs.

Jake Kelly and Brandon O’Riordan from Kennedy College and Rebecca Donovan, Leah Ryan and Sophie Kehoe from the FDYS Coolcotts Youth Project.

Dean Cashe, Ivan Howlin, Conor Brennan and Abdullah Azam from the CBS.

Elinor Clayton, Rory Cassidy and Hannah Wright from Bridgetown College.

Clair Baxter, Brandon Dodd and Paddy Connors from Youth Train.

Abby Beale, Kate Rossiter and Jacinta Horgan from Presentation Secondary School.

Oisín Tiernan and Leonard Gaul from St Peter’s College.

Adam Cooke Taylor and Áine Carroll from Selskar College.

Sophie Innes and Alison Doyle from the Loreto.