Students tackle teenage depression

TRANSITION-year students at Coláiste Muire are taking the issue of adolescent depression into their own hands by coming up with coping and support strategies to combat the problem.
The transition-year group opted to tackle the emotional issue of adolescent depression under the Young Social Innovators Programme, which transition-year students throughout the country participate in.
“We hope to raise awareness throughout the school community and the wider local community about the issue of adolescent depression and importance of mental health for the youth. We are also aiming to support and help teenagers suffering from depression, in simple and accessible way,” Sinéad Collins, transition-year student at Coláiste Muire explained.
The group identified adolescent depression as a serious concern across Ennis.
“We also want to do what we can to help anyone suffering from depression by doing different things that show young people that they do not have to deal with their problems alone,” Amy Comerford added.
The project began shortly after Christmas and will continue until term end this year.
Already the group have organised a speaker from the local mental health branch to speak with them. They have also organised fun events throughout the school to raise awareness of the issue. Throughout the school they have hung up pictures and posters highlighting the issue of adolescent depression. So far they have done internet research on the topic, establishing what adolescent depression is. “We also conducted surveys and questionnaires around the school to find out what students knew about depression. We have also undertaken research in political parties’ policies on adolescent depression. Another aspect of the project is working with first year students to create a bond between us and them,” Sinéad added. They are also in the process of creating Facebook, Bebo and Twitter pages, as well as a youtube channel all about adolescent depression.