PRIMARY school pupils are to receive lessons designed to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing.
Healthy Me is an initiative aimed at Key Stage 2 children in school settings, and will provide them with the skills, coping strategies and resilience to prevent poor mental health.
The programme by Action Mental Health was launched at Carrick PS in Lurgan by chief executive David Babington, who said it would help prepare pupils for the stresses of transfer test and big changes in their educational life.
A range of topics are covered using a mixture of games, small-group activities and discussion, including:
:: What is health?
:: Healthy body, healthy minds
:: Coping strategies and accessing help
The programme aims to promote awareness of emotional wellbeing and positive mental health, to provide teachers with basic training in promoting social and emotional wellbeing, and to encourage help-seeking behaviour among children and help them to identify sources of support.
Healthy Me emerged from the recognition of an unmet need in primary schools. It was developed using modified elements of the secondary school mental health promotion programme run by Action Mental Health.
The programme is delivered as an interactive workshop to Year 6 and Year 7 pupils.
"Transition from primary to secondary school is a particularly stressful time for children and we believe that targeting the programme at P6/P7 children will help them cope with this transition," said Mr Babington.
"This approach is consistent with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence public health guidance which highlights that children's social and emotional well-being affects not only their mental health but also their physical health and can determine how well they do at school.
"Modern life is stressful and can impact on mental health, so implementing strategies for protecting children from stress and helping them learn to cope with change is an extremely positive influence on their young lives. We hope to see the programme adopted across Northern Ireland in the not too distant future."
Sinn Féin assembly member Catherine Seeley, who sits on both the health and education committees at Stormont, welcomed the initiative.
"As a former teacher I understand the importance of improving the mental well-being of our young people," she said.
"We must ensure our young people feel confident enough to speak out and to discuss their emotions. Transitioning to secondary school can be life changing for a young person so I particularly welcome this programmes emphasis on transition."
