Mental health focus

A college has been nominated at the UK-wide TES FE Awards for its mental health awareness campaign, #PassingPositivity.

Ayrshire College has been nominated in the‘Best teaching and learning initiative’category.

The high-profile #PassingPositivity campaign is organised every year by HND Coaching and Developing Sport students (known as Mental Health United) and aims to raise awareness of mental health, particularly the benefits that physical activity can have on a person’s mental health.

Lecturer Alan Johnston, who led on the initial one-day event, said:“This all started with one student opening up to his classmates about his own situation, and his classmates wanting to do something that could make a difference, not only to him, but to others who might find themselves in similar situations.

“This was embraced by many other students, staff, and community partners who have continued to make that difference. This is an amazing achievement, and is testament to all involved, of which there are many, but in particular our inspirational students who are so passionate about Passing Positivity.”

#PassingPositivity started in 2019 as a one-day mental health awareness event and has evolved into a culture that is embraced throughout the college. The mental health initiative now involves various departments at the College, running a major social media campaign, charity walks, hospitality fundraising events, and most recently a charity single recorded by former Britain’s Got Talent winner Jai McDowall, which will be officially released next month as part of Mental Health Awareness Week.