Students learn about emotional wellbeing

Students learn about emotional wellbeing

25 September 2024

STUDENTS at Downpatrick’s new Lecale Trinity Grammar School have taken part in a new initiative designed to support their emotional wellbeing in and out of the classroom.

The Emotional Wellbeing Team in Schools (EWTS) is a regional programme delivered by the South Eastern Trust and their colleagues across Northern Ireland.

The Downpatrick students took part in a number of recent workshops aimed at providing fun and engaging techniques.

In tandem with team building exercises, the students have been learning how to respect one another and talk openly about their feelings, especially when dealing with heightened situations of anxiety.

And the new initiative has already proved invaluable to pupils and teaching staff who have so far taken part.

Year 9 pupil Caitlin Magee described how she learned “different ways to cope with emotions such as anxiety and sadness” and revealed her fellow students learnt different ways to cope with those emotions through talking to an adult and how to use breathing techniques, such as counting on your fingers and taking deep breaths, to help.

“The workshops were really fun,” she said.

“I think they are really important as maybe some people don’t know how to speak about their feelings. The workshops teaches them how to speak up and taught me how I can help other people as well.”

Rudy Hunter said the workshops were very interactive, showing students how to show emotions and how not to hide them or put on a mask.

Jackie Beedim, Year Head at Lecale Trinity Grammar, explained the workshops are a way to talk about mental health, focusing on the idea that anxiety is something that happens to everybody and that that is normal.

“It helps the children think and then the progression from that is ‘what to do next?’ she said.

“What follows is very sound, simple advice for the pupil in that if you are going for exams then you have to revise otherwise it will be stressful. You have to be well rested so you have to sleep.”

Jackie said the workshop encourages students to think about exercise and finding something that helps them.

“The ladies that came to deliver the course were very down to earth and were very tuned in to the pupils,” she continued.

The Lecale Trinity Grammar teacher also outlined how beneficial she felt the programme was to be delivered by health care professionals.

“The programme has improved our confidence and had signposted us to places we can go to and direct the children to which is important,” added Jackie.

Dr Theresa McShane, regional coordinator for Emotional Wellbeing Teams in Schools, said the aim is to work with individual schools to develop pupil and teacher capacity around a whole range of emotional wellbeing issues. 

“The end goal is that pupils develop the skills and strategies to support their own emotional wellbeing and staff are supported to feel more confident and knowledgeable around emotional wellbeing issues,” she said.

“It is my role to ensure that this excellent programme is rolled out consistently, using a delivery model that ensures equitable accessibility for all post primary schools regardless of location in the region.”