World Mental Health Day 2019
‘Hello yellow’ and ‘g’day green’ are the catchy mantras in everyone’s minds this week as millions recognise World Mental Health Day. This year the focus is on suicide prevention.
According to the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) who organise the event, World Mental Health Day, ‘celebrates awareness for the global community in an empathetic way, with a unifying voice, helping those feel hopeful by empowering them to take action and to create lasting change.’
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that every 40 seconds, someone loses their life to suicide. In response and in addition to events and activities on or around the 10 October, they are encouraging people to take 40 seconds of action to help:
- improve awareness of the significance of suicide as a global public health problem
- improve knowledge of what can be done to prevent suicide
- reduce the stigma associated with suicide
- and let people who are struggling know that they are not alone.
Eastbourne College pupils and staff have been raising awareness by wearing something ‘hello yellow’ or something ‘g’day green’. Pupils have attended workshops on body image, with staff from the medical centre creating a safe space for them to discuss their thoughts. Throughout the day, pupils were reminded of some healthy coping strategies. Peer mentors are always on hand in houses and sixth form assemblies this week have addressed mental health issues. Even the dining hall was decked in green in an LED show of support.
The Library staff also put together a pop-up display of relevant resources, and some of the houses organised yoga sessions to create some ‘me time’ and space.
