Navan pair 'Think Big' for positive mental health
A pair of Navan youngsters were among a group of young people from across the country that attended a Think Big workshop in O2 headquarters in Dublin. Think Big is a programme designed by O2 and Headstrong, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, designed to inspire young people around the country to promote positive mental health in their local community.
The young people attending the recent workshop were each awarded a place on the national Think Big programme after successfully submitting an idea for a project in their community. Think Big has granted initial funding of €300 to help get each project off the ground, along with a mobile phone (with €50 top-up), and a Think Big start-up pack.
Claire Breathnach and Darren Smith focused on their idea, a website, called ‘Positive Media Hub’. Aware of the many negative aspects of social media sites, this project aims to highlight how technology can be used to promote positive mental health. The youngsters hope to create an online platform where others can view positive images, inspiring quotes, motivational music and videos.
Jill Johnston Corporate Responsibility Manager at O2 said: “We would like to congratulate all of our young people who participated in the Think Big training programme at the weekend and we’re looking forward to seeing them bring their projects to life. The variety and high calibre of projects that young people across the country have submitted has really impressed us. In addition to funding, each Think Big project group gets support from O2 and Headstrong in the form of mentoring and training and every project is also encouraged to incorporate digital and social media elements”.
Ashling Flynn, Think Big Co-ordinator, Headstrong said: “The young people taking part in Think Big are leading the way in changing how we think about mental health in Ireland. Young people intuitively understand the importance of mental health and are ideally placed to promote positive mental health among their peers. Each project attending the training today has great potential to make a positive difference in their community and in joining over 250 other Think Big projects they are helping to transform our understanding of mental health.”