Northern Ireland news

Belfast primary schools launch mental health animation

Two Belfast primary schools were involved in creating the animation about children’s mental health and wellbeing
Suzanne McGonagle

TWO Belfast primary schools have created an animation about children's mental health and wellbeing.

Over the last school year, pupils from Elmgrove PS and Christ the Redeemer PS were involved in a programme called Better Together to learn about friendship, empathy and breathing techniques for dealing with feelings and emotions.

The project aimed to build positive relations and emotional resilience.

As part of the OUR Generation initiative, an EU PEACE IV-funded project led by Action Mental Health, they visited each other's schools to take part in animation workshops and explore creative ways to show case their learning.

They worked with professional animator Joel Simon from Hola Lola Animations.

David Babington from Action Mental Health said the final animation, 'Our wee thoughts and feelings', would be used for future generations "helping them grow up better together".

Jane McConville, ICT co-ordinator at Elmgrove, said the pupils have been "working on their designs based off what they have learned on the programme about managing their own mental health and strategies for dealing with stress".

Nicola McKeown, acting vice-principal of Christ the Redeemer PS, added: "This is what society needs right now and I can honestly say as a school, working alongside Action Mental Health, we are delivering that".

Northern Ireland news