The Happy Mind – Borris Vocational School

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

As a team we chose the challenge of mental health to find out more about the topic and to explore solutions to the problem, as mental health issues among both young people and adults are such a prevalent problem in Ireland at this time. We felt that the topic is not discussed enough nor given enough notice generally, but the reality is that mental health issues can affect anyone at any time. We also wanted to explore how to maintain good mental health, as the topic of mental health does not exclusively involve mental health problems.

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

We found out that poor mental health is as big an issue among adults as it is in young people in Ireland. According to Maynooth University studies, 42% of adults in Ireland will have experienced a mental health problem or disorder at some time in their lives. Insomnia and anxiety were among the most common mental health issues in Ireland, based on a survey by Mental Health Ireland. According to the same survey, popular strategies for positive mental health include taking regular exercise and talking with friends and family.

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What have you learnt about your Hero?

Our Hero’s name is Sophie Lyons. She is a twenty – seven year old nurse, and commutes to work in Dublin. She is married with two young children, and her husband is serving overseas in the defence forces. Sophie suffers from anxiety and depression brought on by the stress of her job and effectively being a single parent. She is often too tired to spend time with her children, and this makes her feel guilty and depressed. She worries obsessively about bills and her job due to anxiety. She has become snappy, feels unwell, and is distracted at work.

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

If we could improve one thing for our Hero, it would be for her to be able to spend quality time with her children without feeling stressed about other things in her life. This would help her to feel less guilty about constantly being at work and not spending time with them, and this might in turn be a useful way for her to start dealing with her anxiety and depression.

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

Activities that promote good mental health that would challenge our Hero in other ways than mental health related initially so that they could have the tools to start dealing with mental health issues, and then maintain good mental health.

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

No questions.