St Peter’s and FCJ join Headstrong programme
TWO Co. Wexford schools are among the very first in Ireland to implement a new mental health programme which aims to address the stigma of suicide among young people.
Students from FCJ Secondary School in Bunclody and St Peter’s College in Wexford town attended the launch of ‘Headstrong’ in association with Cycle Against Suicide. They joined other schools from across Ireland for the introduction of the new pilot programme which will be rolled out in selected schools over the coming months.
The new initiative is a partnership between Cycle Against Suicide and the Mental Health Commission of Canada and, at its core, it aims to reduce the painful stigma experienced by children and young people living with mental health problems and illnesses.
It will teach students how to reduce stigma, become mental health champions in their schools, and challenge them to examine the dangers of stereotypes and the harm created by stigma.
‘It’s a powerful, evidence based programme that has already won international awards, and with the help of the two schools in Co. Wex- ford, we’re hoping that the pilot programme will be a huge success, with the aim of rolling out Headstrong across all Irish secondary schools within the coming years,’ said Cycle Against Suicide CEO Caroline Lafferty.
‘This is a core part of our mission in addressing mental health in younger people, which is currently at an alarming level in Ireland.’
To learn more about the Headstrong initiative and Cycle Against Suicide’s other programmes, visit www.cycleagainstsuicide.com.