Very well done to Headstrong Committee students; Ella, Gemma, Neasa and Adam who were called to a photocall with Rugby legend Alan Quinlan as part of the Student Leaders’ Congress last Friday! The photos feature in today’s Sunday Independent! Below is a write up on the event. Many thanks to Riki Neill for allowing us access to the photos and the information below.
The 2020 Cycle Against Suicide Annual Student Leaders’ Congress took place last Friday, 17th Jan, at the Citywest Convention Centre in Dublin, welcoming more than 4,000 students and young people.
Created to discuss and raise awareness of mental health and wellness issues faced by young people in Ireland today, pupils from more than 150 schools across the country attended the one-day conference. Former Munster and Ireland rugby player, Alan Quinlan, a devoted advocate of mental health awareness who has openly talked about his own mental health struggles in the past, addressed the crowd of young people.
During his address, Mr. Quinlan talked about his own experiences with mental health issues and gave advice to attendees on allowing themselves to be open and honest with others when they are feeling down. He also highlighted the importance of young people learning the essential skills of building resilience and coping mechanisms that will allow them to navigate the challenges of day-to-day life.
Talking about his involvement at the Cycle Against Suicide Student Leaders’ Congress event, Alan Quinlan adds: ”Mental health has been a huge part of my journey, and I’m keen to impart on others, especially young people, the struggles I faced and how I’ve learnt to address these. It’s vital that we continue to put mental health high on the agenda and this conference has given me the opportunity to speak to 4,000 young people today about their mental health and building resilience.
“Young people are the future of Ireland and they are setting an example with their willingness and openness to address mental health issues. It’s incredibly important that we encourage and support this through events like the Cycle Against Suicide Student Leaders’ Congress; and that we help to equip young people with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat negative mental health and break the stigma that’s attached to it.”
Other speakers at the Congress touched on a variety of important topics including mental health difficulties, social anxiety, body image issues, issues affecting those in the LGBTQ+ community, consent and respect, trolling and how to offer hope and build resilience in young people. The event also hosted talks and workshops from a number of experts in the field of mental health and wellbeing.
Pictures Colm Mahady / Fennells