Pupils and teachers from a Co Down school will sky dive from an exhilarating 15,000ft this weekend to raise mental health awareness.
Three staff members of Regent House Grammar, Newtownards, will be among six pupils and one past pupil on Saturday, when they'll leap from the skies in aid of TAMHI on Saturday June 3.
TAMHI (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues), works with sports clubs and groups, including schools, to raise awareness of mental health and resilience.
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Speaking to Belfast Live Debbie Byrne, who is the school's Head of Personal Development and leader of the mental health team, explained the reason behind the fundraising challenge.
"TAMHI, which is based in North Belfast, delivers courses for Post Primary schools to use their resources to help promote mental health through play and sport. This license gives schools access to Game Tutorials, Game Cards and resources that will enable schools to deliver in their settings.
"At Regent House we have found the support, workshops and working in partnership with the organisation has been extremely beneficial, enjoyable and knowledgeable on allowing our pupils gain skills and understanding around complex topics of mental health, anxiety and suicide prevention.
"TAMHI has delivered workshops within Regent House Grammar for Years 8, 13 and 14 throughout the school year through mental wealth games model helping promote social and emotional learning (SEL).
"Their programme has been evaluated and is evidence based. Schools can read the independent reports on their website and watch the feedback from teachers and pupils who have benefited from taking part. Additionally their programme, if adopted, provides teachers/school leaders with an opportunity to roll out a fun, engaging programme over the duration of the year rather than a "one off" which evidence shows is less effective."
This academic year as a school and community, the team has raised around £8,000 for TAMHI - and still counting.
They completed an abseil of Belfast Castle in December and the skydive tomorrow will be their next mission. Pupils have completed various fundraising activities such as pub quiz, cake sale, coffee mornings, support and donations from family and friends and have a Just Giving page.
"The response from our pupils has been exceptional," Debbie added.
"Mental health has grown as a problem in society and our pupils are fully aware of the issues caused by poor mental health both from pressures in and out of school. The pupils have grasped this opportunity with both hands and have raised a substantial amount of money already and are energetic in their efforts to hold fund-raising initiatives."
David Thompson, head of middle school, said: "I met the lads from TAMHI at a course they ran at Ards Rugby Club and thought that our pupils would love to learn more about mental health with education through games and play.
"We trialled it with the staff in Regent and they loved it. The pupils this year had the best day and realised the positive effect the day had on their mental health and that mental health does not have to always be spoken about as a negative.
"The pupils have gone on to work with younger year groups in school at year 8. They also had great fun and we hope to keep rolling this out each year to all members of our school community.”
Principal Michael Carville added: "I am delighted, and extremely proud, that the staff and pupils of Regent House are fundraising on behalf of mental health charities. Within school we work very hard to ensure all our pupils and colleagues gain the support they need to help them deal with the pressures and challenges of life. We would like to thank everyone who has donated to this very worthy cause at a time when money is very tight."
Debbie has navigated the school mental health team for four years working with various charities such as Action Mental Health and PIPS. The team was originally set up of 16 pupils which has now expanded to over 80 members of sixth form.
"In Regent House we promote children and young people’s social and emotional skills and mental health and wellbeing through the curriculum, RSHE and wider cross-curricular activity – all within an overarching framework of a whole-school approach to mental health.
"For children and young people who are beginning to struggle or are exposed to mounting risks that may challenge and undermine their mental health, it is important they have accessible and effective in-school help that is provided through pastoral support, targeted, small group work and access to counselling support, in which I feel we excel at in our school."
Follow this link to donate in aid of TAMHI.
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