Stress and anxiety is normal during exam times but experts at St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services say that keeping lines of communication open between parents and young people during this period is vital.

Paul Gilligan, CEO at St. Patrick’s says “Parents need to keep exams in perspective however acknowledging the stress and perceived importance of the exams to the student is important.”

Paul continued, “Repeated statements that the Leaving Cert or Junior Cert are ‘not the end of the world’ hold little value, because at this moment in time, to that particular student, it is!”

Colman Noctor, Adolescent Clinical Nurse Manager says “The narrow focus of points and league table like measurement is difficult to cope with and it is important for other systems in the young person’s life to challenge this and help young people to feel less vulnerable’.

He continued “It is important to focus on the effort involved in exam preparation rather then the outcome, emphasising that the outcome is secondary to their hard work. If you feel that your effort and application is ‘valued’ you will feel ‘believed in’ and this can sustain you through the difficult exam period and subsequent summer awaiting results.

For parents, building up a young person’s confidence and self esteem is key; helping a young person to understand that anxiety is normal is beneficial.

Most common behavioural changes in a young person at exam time;

• Difficulty getting to sleep or difficulty waking up in the morning
• Constant tiredness
• Forgetfulness
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Poor appetite
• Increased anxiety and irritability
• Increased heart rate
• Migraines/headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness

Positive mental health awareness in young people is essential for adulthood. Studies have shown that half life long mental health disorders start by the age of 14 and three quarters by the age of 24 years of age (Kessler, 2005).

Paul Gilligan, CEO, continued “At this time of year we need to pay special attention to the emotional needs of our young people. Exam time is stressful but with the right attitudes and support every student can flourish.”

Portmarnock Community School has about 900 students and a really active Transition Year. We prioritised a number of charities including the ‘Walk in My Shoes’ campaign for St. Patrick’s University Hospital, during the school-year 2012 – 2013.

We were tired of the traditional non-uniform days, so Walk in My Shoes was a breadth of creative life! It is also supported by a team of mental-health professionals who gave a really powerful presentation to the TY students at the beginning of the year.

The school backed up the campaign through use of its website and Twitter. It also had a teacher prepared to let students design his “shoes for a day”. The school also offered prizes for the best shoes and even had an impromptu cat-walk for students who wished the “strut their shoes.”

It was really a great day in the school.

Donal O’ Mahony

Teacher, TY Coordinator

Portmarnock Community School, Co. Dublin

During this 1 week placement at St Patrick’s students experience thought provoking presentations from specialised nurses, doctors and therapists. A mock multi-disciplinary team meeting is also incorporated into the week – enabling students to witness a realistic doctor-service user scenario and authentic case studies.

It is hoped that participants will return to their schools as ambassadors for mental wellbeing with enhanced awareness of mental health issues and how to facilitate help seeking behaviour.

All participants are encouraged to share their new understanding of positive mental health in a presentation to their classmates on their return to school.

Many participating schools have also taken part in fundraising activities for ‘Walk in My Shoes’. We would like to sincerely thank all those who donated and helped us to raise awareness and funds while spreading our important message.

( Pic Above: Caroline Sherlock, Fundraising Manager with TY Coordinator, Mary Dooly and students Sophie and Roisin from Presentation Secondary School, Wexford and Kate Moran, ‘Walk in My Shoes’ Fundraising Officer )

It’s never too late to put your funky shoes on and get involved! Sign your school up here: http://www.walkinmyshoes.ie/get-involved/

Thanks to all who bid and bought shoes in our online celebrity Shoe Auction which was hosted by Ebay.ie in April.

Our very first celebrity shoe auction was a great success and raised over €6,000 for Walk in My Shoes.

Interested bidders battled it out from all over the world and eager fans from as far away as Australia, USA and South Africa won the shoes their idols once wore.

Shoes auctioned were showcased in St. Patrick’s University Hospital for six weeks where the public were welcomed to visit the display and see over 40 pairs of famous signed footwear.

The Celebrity Shoe Exhibition and Auction has now finished.

Thanks to our brilliant supporters who donated shoes, those who visited the exhibition and donated and those who bid and bought online to help raise funds for Walk in My Shoes.

We really appreciate your support.

ADAM CLAYTON, RORY MCILROY, BRIAN O’ DRISCOLL & THE ORIGINAL RUDE BOYS’S SIGNED SHOES ARE PROVING POPULAR ON EBAY.IE

On Monday, 22nd April 2013, An online bidding battle kicked off on Ebay.ie with world-famous footwear donated and signed by Ireland’s top celebrities, sport stars and personalities will going under the hammer until Friday Friday 26^th.

Importantly, all funds raised will be donated to ‘Walk in My Shoes’ to povide mental health services to vulnerable young adults in Ireland.

Shoes currently drawing the most attention online include Adam Clayton’s favourite ‘Alexander Mc Queen’ high-tops, The Saturdays Una Healy’s stylish shoes, Sean Walsh of the Original Rude Boy’s Nike Air Max’s from the album cover of ‘This Life, Hurricane Fly’s Winning Horse Shoes, Georgina Byrne’s Christian Louboutins and her Westlife Husband Nicky’s trainers, not forgetting Rory Mc Ilroy’s New Nike Lunar golf shoes. Eager fans will literally be able to step into their idol’s signed shoes by bidding and buying online.

Determined shoe-shoppers and fans are engaging in a fun bidding race where the highest bid will run away with the winning shoes. In total over 40 pairs of celebrity shoes will be available from the eBay online store ‘walkinmyshoes2013’. Log on to see the full list now.

Bidding ends Friday.

Get involved / make a donation, visit or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/walkinmyshoes and Twitter @WIMS2013.

Start bidding HERE : http://www.ebay.ie/sch/walkinmyshoes2013/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

 How to get involved

1. Log onto Ebay.ie
2. Search ‘WalkinMyShoes2013’ in ‘Seller Search’
3. Start bidding
4. Text SHOES to 57802. Texts costs €2 and €1.33 goes to Walk in My Shoes Network charges vary. SP Phonovation Ltd. Helpline 0818 217 100

 

ADAM CLAYTON, RORY MCILROY, BRIAN O’ DRISCOLL & THE ORIGINAL RUDE BOYS PROVIDE WORLD FAMOUS FOOTWEAR FOR ONLINE BIDDING BATTLE

On Monday, 22nd April 2013, Ebay.ie will play host to Ireland’s most exclusive online shoe auction. World-famous footwear donated and signed by Ireland’s top celebrities, sport stars and personalities will go under the hammer for one week only, from Monday 22^nd April until Friday 26^th where all funds raised will be donated to ‘Walk in My Shoes’.

Paul Gilligan CEO of St. Patrick’s University Hospital said, “Unfortunately talking about mental illness is still taboo, through Walk in My Shoes we are hoping to get the message across that mental illness can affect anyone at anytime and talking about it is vital.”

From Monday 22^nd April, eager fans will be able to step into their idol’s signed shoes by bidding and buying online. Top shoes to be auctioned online include Adam Clayton’s favourite ‘Alexander Mc Queen’ high-tops, The Saturdays Una Healy’s stylish shoes and Original Rude Boy, Sean Walsh’s Nike Air Max’s from the album cover of ‘This Life’.

Determined shoe-shoppers will engage in a different form of window shopping worldwide where the highest bid will walk with the winning shoes. In total over 40 pairs of celebrity shoes will be available from the eBay online store ‘walkinmyshoes2013’.

Golfing hero’s Rory Mc Ilroy, Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Paul Mc Ginley took time off the course to sign and donate their lucky golf shoes. Rugby stars Brian O’ Driscoll, Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearny, Paul O’ Connell and Cian Healy donated their personalised boots from winning games while international models Rosanna Davison and Alison Canavan donated their catwalk heels.

Snooker legend Ken Doherty & RTE presenters Ryan Tubridy & Claire Byrne  have donated their brogs while punters will bid high for horse racing’s ‘Hurricane Fly’s’ 2011 Champion Hurdle winning horse shoes.

Get involved / make a donation, visit or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/walkinmyshoes and Twitter @WIMS2013.

Start bidding HERE : http://www.ebay.ie/sch/walkinmyshoes2013/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

How to get involved

1. Log onto Ebay.ie
2. Search ‘WalkinMyShoes2013’
3. Start bidding
4. Text SHOES to 57802. Texts costs €2 and €1.33 goes to Walk in My Shoes Network charges vary. SP Phonovation Ltd. Helpline 0818 217 100

On Friday, 12^th April 2013, St Patrick’s Hospital Foundation is asking the Irish public to step out in mismatched or wacky shoes and donate €2 to support mental health, as part of this year’s Walk in My Shoes campaign. All funds raised will be used to provide mental health services to vulnerable young adults who otherwise could not afford them, including a free support and information phone line. Join this year’s celebrity ambassadors including  Adam Clayton, Brent Pope,Rosanna Davison, The Original Rudeboys and Ken Doherty and support mental health in Ireland on April 12^th.

Suicide is the number one cause of death amongst 18-25 males in Ireland, with over 75% of mental health difficulties beginning before 24 years of age. If left untreated, mental illness can have a major impact on personal development, education, work and physical health. Walk in My Shoes aims to heighten awareness of the impact of mental health difficulties while raising much needed funds.

On Friday, 12^th April, St. Patrick’s Hospital Foundation will be hosting an official walk in association with 98FM at St. Stephens Green at 12 noon, led by one of Ireland’s leading choirs, CORus. Members of the public are welcome to join the walk or can support by buying a badge for €2 from fundraisers taking part on the day. This is just one of many events taking place nationwide and there is still time to organise a local event or volunteer in your area. Just contact Walk in My Shoes on info@walkinmyshoes.ie or 01 249 3596 to get involved.

Walk in My Shoes ambassador Adam Clayton said “Growing up is hard enough to navigate without any health issues. Teenagers need a lot of support, and vulnerable teenagers even more so. By helping to give every vulnerable teenager someone to talk to about their concerns, Walk in My Shoes is doing very valuable work. I’m happy to raise awareness and funds and I hope everyone will join me in wearing stylish and mismatched shoes on April 12th.”

Also speaking about the campaign, Walk in My Shoes ambassador Brent Pope said “It’s ok if you’re not ok, mental health difficulties affect us all. Walk in My Shoes raises much needed funds to help put young adults back on the road to recovery. So why not join me by wearing mismatched or funky shoes on April 12^th and stand up for mental health.”

Also speaking in advance of April 12^th, Caroline Sherlock, Fundraising Manager, St. Patrick’s Hospital Foundation said, “We are asking communities all over Ireland to step out on Friday, 12^th April and join us in supporting mental health for our young adults. Talking about your mental health can be difficult at any age, however for a young person it’s especially difficult. Walk in My Shoes highlights the importance of talking about your mental health, asking for help at an early stage to give people the best chance of recovery.”

For more information on how to get involved/make a donation, visit www.walkinmyshoes.ie or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/walkinmyshoes and Twitter @WIMS2013

This Friday, Join the Cork Dean Clinic team in supporting Walk in My shoes along with UCC, members of SHINE, AWARE, GROW and Transition Year Students in local schools

Step out in your funky shoes and raise awareness for mental health while helping to generate funds to provide vulnerable young adults in Ireland with the mental health services they need.

Where: Meeting in front of Quad, UCC

Time: 11 am,

When: Friday 12^th April 2013

Wear odd/funky shoes and walk with us to Cork City Centre

All welcome.

For information please contact:

Dean Clinic, City Gate, Mahon, Cork

Tel No: 01 647 7733 (Cork Clinic)

Email: admindeancork@stpatsmail.com

www.stpatrickshosp.ie

Members of the public are invited to join the walk in their funky or mismatched shoes to raise awareness and funds for mental health. A full list of events happening throughout the country will be published early next week ahead of the official Walk in My Shoes Day.

On April 12th, people all over Ireland will step out in funky, unusual and mismatched shoes to highlight the importance of mental health and raise funds to provide mental health services to vulnerable young adults in Ireland.