Pupils from Downpatrick’s Lecale Trinity Grammar School recently took part in a programme of workshops aimed at providing fun and engaging techniques to support their emotional wellbeing in and out of the classroom.
The Emotional Wellbeing Team in Schools (EWTS) is a regional programme delivered by Health and Social Care staff across all five Trust areas. Through a series of workshops and team building exercises, the pupils have been learning how to respect one another and talk openly about their feelings, especially when dealing with heightened situations of anxiety. The initiative has already proved invaluable to pupils and teaching staff who have so far taken part.
Year Nine pupil Caitlin Magee described how she learned, “Different ways to cope with emotions such as anxiety and sadness.”
“We learned 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,” said Caitlin.
Caitlin continued, “I think the workshops are really important as maybe some people don’t know how to speak about their feelings. The workshops teaches them how to speak up. The workshops taught me how I can help other people as well.”
Fellow pupil Rudy Hunter said, “The workshops were very interactive. They showed how to show emotions and how not to hide them or put on a mask.”
Year Head at Lecale Trinity Grammar Jackie Beedim said, “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?’”
Jackie continued, “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. It encourages you to think about exercise. It’s finding something that helps you. The ladies that came to deliver the course were very down to earth and were very tuned in to the pupils.”
Jackie added 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.”
Dr Theresa McShane, Regional Coordinator for Emotional Wellbeing Teams in Schools, said, “Our teams aim to work with each individual school 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.”
Theresa continued, “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.”