IMPACT’s Education division launched its Head Space booklet on Wednesday (8th October), a guide to mental health and services aimed at second level students.
Initially proposed by Mary Keating, a special needs assistant with the South Dublin/South Leinster SNA branch, and inspired by Kinsale Youth Services Head Space initiative, the booklet aims to provide essential information on a wide range of mental health issues with information on support services.
IMPACT deputy general secretary Kevin Callinan said the aim was to relate to union members and students in a practical way. “We wanted to help increase awareness of mental health issues, and provide a guide on the help that’s available. The booklet also marks a very important collaboration of effort between IMPACT members, Kinsale Youth Services and Cabinteely Community School” he said.
The Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) was represented by union president Craig McHugh and education officer Joanna Siewierska. Both welcomed the publication and Joanna added that the booklet was a helpful addition to a growing awareness around mental health for younger people, “It’s vital that young people know that it’s okay not to feel okay, and this booklet is a great new resource covering a really wide variety of issues.”
The booklet will be distributed in second level schools through the Youth Connect initiative of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). Assistant general secretary of ICTU, Sally Anne Kinahan, said she hoped that the booklet would continue to reduce any stigma around mental illness, “It’s a great opportunity to break through any stigma and make sure that the information is available to young people.”
Moira Leydon of the secondary school teachers union, ASTI, praised the publication and said it was vital to be able to put a name on some of the issues and challenges facing young people, “When you can put a name on something you’re feeling, that’s the start of addressing any problems, and that really is a strength of this publication.”
Mary Keating works as an SNA in Cabinteely Community School and brought the idea to IMPACT to publish the Head Space guide. She said “Young people need to know where the services are, and that’s what the booklet is all about.”
A short video about the launch is available to view HERE.
