merrion street

Minister Mc Entee TD today launched a new booklet on mental health produced by the pupils of Coláiste Bríde Secondary school, Templeshannon, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. The title of the new booklet is – “I am WORTH it.”

The Student Council at the school realised some time ago the need for such a booklet, aimed specifically at teenagers in Wexford. It gives practical information and advice about mental health care, and the various services and supports for this available throughout the county. The booklet will be distributed to around 13,000 second level pupils across Wexford. The pupils of Coláiste Bríde raised around €900 towards the venture and also got welcome financial support from Enniscorthy Credit Union towards publication costs. Mental Health Ireland in Wexford assisted with the development of an associated website.

The Minister stated “I am delighted to launch this important new booklet, which will be a real help towards promoting positive mental health for young people in Wexford It is very impressive how the girls brought this project together and delivered such a high-quality and useful publication. The competition held among the 700 pupils really came up with a title – “I am WORTH it” - that sums up the core message of how we should all regard mental health and mental health issues. The teachers and the girls should be rightly proud of their achievement. The booklet gels also with my objective as Minister to improve all aspects of mental health policies and services, including the work of the National Task Force on Youth Mental Health that I recently established.”