Positive Mental Health Week

Posted on : February 4, 2017

From Monday 30th January to Friday February 3rd, Sligo Grammar School ran a week of activities aimed at promoting a positive outlook on life. At a time when mental health is being recognised as a problem nationally, the school wanted to inform students about the issue and suggest ways to cope with anxiety and depression as well as ways to avoid them. During the week the students attended talks and workshops from people who have had personal experience of having to cope with mental health problems, including two past pupils, Cathal Sheridan and Breifne Earley.  Elma Walsh, mother of Donal Walsh who died of cancer in Tralee in 2013,  spoke to the whole school about her son’s positive outlook on life despite his illness.  Our own senior students chaired a lunchtime forum  in the library where they bravely shared their problems with anxiety and depression with the rest of the students who attended.  Focus Ireland also came into the school to tell the students about homelessness and the mental health issues connected with this terrible national issue. As well as these talks and workshops there were fun activities aimed at helping students cope with life.  A tug-o-war was held at lunchtime as well as a music concert and Zumba classes.  A Worry Tree in the foyer encouraged students to write down their worries and, by hanging them on the tree, forget them. In-class meditation and stretching exercises as well as a “thought for the day”  kept Positive Mental Health at the forefront of everyone’s mind for the week. For pictures of the week click HERE