Team Jenna – St Patricks College Dungannon

Why as a team did you choose to focus on this challenge?

As a team we choose to focus on the area of mental health. This is a challenge that many people face in todays world. We wanted to make people more aware of how mental health is not visible. You yourself may not suffer with mental heath but someone you know may and it can also leave a lasting effect on you.

What do you know now about the challenge that you didn't know before?

From our research we discovered that, 1-7 of the worlds adolescents suffer from a mental health disorder. Also, Half of mental health problems begin before the age of 14 and three quarters before the age of 24. Next, 42% of adults in Ireland suffer from a mental health disorder.

What have you learnt about your Hero?

Our hero is a 19 year old single parent, she has one child who suffers from ADHD. She herself is the child’s primary caregiver as well as working part time in her local corner shop. She earns roughly £8000 a year and gets extra support from child benefits. Our hero faces many challenges on a day to day bases including, having to provide for her child keeping a roof under their heads and food on the table on top of balancing childcare and work.

If you could improve one thing for your Hero what would that be?

To make people more aware about the struggle of being a single parent on minimum wage and affording day to day food and a roof under their heads.

Do you have any ideas for a potential solution? No matter how raw, share them with your Mentors for feedback.

Our solution is to encourage other people to accept other people’s life challenges and provide support and a network that they can rely on when having a rough day or when they need someone to talk to.

Ask your Mentor anything …. This is a chance to ask your Mentors a direct question relating to your Big Idea.

Ideas for more potential solutions to help us over come this challenge that many people face on a day to day bases.