In 2015, Minsters Jan O’Sullivan and Kathleen Lynch jointly launched Well-Being in Primary Schools- Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion. This is the result of a joint collaboration between the Department of Education and Skills and the Health Service Executive, with the aim of promoting mental health and well-being in primary schools.
It is recognised in these guidelines that positive mental health and well-being enables young people to lead fulfilling lives. Home and family are recognised as the primary source of nurturing and support for children. However, mental health and well-being are recognised as everyone’s concern and involves the whole school community, parents/guardians and others involved in day-to-day school life. Positive mental health for children is part of their overall health and is inextricably linked with well-being.
In order to promote positive mental health and well-being at Carrigaholt Mixed National School, we have decided to take part in the 2022 – 2023 Amber Flag Initiative.
The Amber Flag is a mental health initiative designed to help schools and clubs promote positive mental health within the Irish educational system.
The Three Main Goals for the Amber Flag are:
1) To promote mental health and well-being for all.
2) Preventing mental health problems through increased awareness, social
support, reducing risk factors such as racism, bullying and isolation.
3) Improve the quality of life for students with mental health
problems by promoting recovery through awareness and education.
Carrigaholt Mixed National School has an Amber Flag Project Team comprising of a cross-section of our school community including both staff and students. The students are represented by one pupil from each class from 1st class to 6th class. The Amber Flag Project Team promotes Positive Mental Health in the school by organising a number of initiatives throughout the school year. The activities below outline some of the initiatives that we have adopted throughout this school year to promote Positive Mental Health.