According to the World Health Organisation, mental health disorders are one of the most significant public health challenges in the WHO European Region. Without good mental health, people feel unable or less able to carry out activities of daily living, including self-care, education, employment and participation in social life. Supporting mental health and well-being is a key action in Sustainable Development Goal 3 which deals with good health and well-being.
A new website from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, entitled Mental Health Educate aims to address this issue by supporting educators to raise awareness of mental health and well-being in schools and third-level educational settings.
The website provides access to educators to a range of resources developed by clinicians, researchers and academics at RCSI Department of Psychiatry. Initially launched to address the increased mental health concerns of young people during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team at RCSI collaborated with groups across the education, arts and online sectors to develop the website and its content, which aims to positively influence the mental health and well-being of young people into the future.
Available on the website is content that is primarily aimed at educators but free to use by anyone who is interested in exploring issues affecting youth mental health. Included in the material are lesson plans, animations and video presentations that draw on the real experiences of young people in Ireland. Topics addressed include stress, anxiety, isolation, academic pressure and breakdown in support structures.
Mental Health Educate is a resource where teachers, parents and other educators can go to find out more about mental health and support them in engaging in meaningful mental health discourse, supporting positive awareness and a culture of support.
Mental Health Educate was funded by the Health Research Board Knowledge and Dissemination Scheme.
RCSI is committed to achieving a better and more sustainable future through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
