Youth Shoots

On Thursday, 14th November, Youth Shoots delivered a comprehensive training session to a group of Year 7-10 students. The primary aim of the day was to equip each participant with the confidence to open up conversations on emotional health and well-being. The session also focused on providing students with tools to build resilience in facing daily challenges that may negatively impact their mental health, and on fostering the use of realistic coping strategies. As a result, students are now better prepared to develop into confident speakers and organisers, aligning with the school's Anti-Bullying and Junior Leadership Team ethos.

The workshop specifically addressed:

• Mental well-being
• Emotional state
• Effective coping strategies
• Heightened awareness of how to support others

An essential component of the training involved exploring how behavioural choices can impact both themselves and others. Students also discussed how to safely navigate their lives, including their presence on digital networks. Given the prevalence of social media usage among young people, one case highlighted an extreme instance where a student disclosed spending 54 hours online, underscoring the importance of this discussion.

The intended outcome of the workshop was for students to share their learning with their peers, initiate their own projects within the school, and contribute positively to the wider community in a safe and informed manner.

Although it was a demanding day, the students remained actively engaged, thanks to the enthusiastic and dynamic trainer. They were not merely passive participants; rather, they made thoughtful decisions on how best to address challenging scenarios presented across all topics covered.

The mental health and emotional well-being component of the workshop was particularly crucial, as the incidence of poor mental health among young people continues to rise rapidly, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.