Find Your Brave – It’s Children’s Mental Health Week!

This year’s theme is ‘Find Your Brave’.

This year’s focus, from February 3 to 9, places children’s mental health in the spotlight at a time when around three children in every primary school class has a mental health problem. Many more struggle with challenges, living with the daily challenges of everything from bullying to bereavement.

We are delighted to be joined by some very special guests to find out what bravery means to them, and how they have found their brave.

Paulo Ross (28), originally from Ardglass, now lives in Belfast and co-presents the Cool FM Breakfast Show and sport every morning alongside Pete Snodden and Rebecca McKinney.  An avid Liverpool FC fan, Paulo has been a great supporter of Action Mental Health, having lived experience of mental illness in his family.  Nicknamed ‘Mourne Man’ on the radio show because of how much time he spends in the Mourne mountains, Paulo also cares for his mum and finds that a weekly hike is great for his physical and mental well-being.

Teacher, Mark Rodgers, Abbey Grammar School, Newry, Co Down

Lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavon

Pupils from Presentation Primary School, Portadown

Head Boy and Head Girl of Saintfield High School discuss “Finding Your Brave”

Northern Ireland gymnast Rhys McClenaghan created history last year as he became the first Irish gymnast to win a medal at the World
Championships, claiming bronze in the pommel horse.
The 20-year-old has also booked a place at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In 2018 he won the Commonwealth Games title and the European crown.
In addition to his world medal in Stuttgart in October, he took gold on the pommel horse at the World Challenge Cup in Slovenia.
Brought up in Newtownards, Rhys has been one of Action Mental Health’s ambassadors for a number of years, promoting the charity and positive mental health.

Irvinestown Primary School

Presentation Primary School, Portadown

Lismore Comprehensive School Craigavon

Annabelle – Irvinestown Primary School

Presentation Primary School

Irvinestown Primary School – Nick, Tori Lilly, Rachel & Lana

Irvinestown Primary School – Noah

Irvinestown Primary School – Rachel

Irvinestown Primary School – Tori Lilly

Abbey Grammar School Newry – Trent

Irvinestown Primary School – Lana

Presentation Primary School Portadown

Irvinestown Primary School Amy, Rhianna & Emma

Lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavon

Caitlin Irvinestown Primary School

Presentation Primary School Portadown

Abbey Grammar School, Newry – Rory

Lismore Comprehensive School

Presentation Primary School

Children’s Mental Health Week was launched in 2015 by Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity. In its sixth year, the week continues to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

This year’s focus, from February 3 to 9, places children’s mental health in the spotlight at a time when around three children in every primary school class has a mental health problem. Many more struggle with challenges, living with the daily challenges of everything from bullying to bereavement.

Action Mental Health delivers a number of services dedicated specifically to young people, from Healthy Me for primary school children aged 8-11; Provoking Thought from 11 years of age; and Mindset, for young people aged 14 and up. https://www.amh.org.uk/services/menssana/

AMH also offers a host of resources for children: https://www.amh.org.uk/services/resources-for-children-and-young-people/

You can also visit Place2Be https://www.place2be.org.uk/