Mission Possible

The awards celebrate the unique projects underway in primary and secondary schools across Ireland to raise awareness of mental health and combat stigma within school and the wider community.

The winners of the 2021 Mission Possible awards were announced during an online ceremony on 21 April. The top primary and secondary school in each category received a €600 prize and every participating school receiving a certificate. Some of the winning initiatives included a feelings chart; a ‘Pay It Forward’ campaign; digital detox; virtual check-ins; and a sensory garden. 

Stay tuned for news of when applications for the awards open again. In the meantime, take a look through the awards categories and meet our past winners below!

See the 2021 winners here.

• Best Standalone Project

  This award celebrates a once-off project that displays the great work your school has done to promote positive mental health. Examples  of these one-off projects include the introduction of a Buddy Bench in a school, where students can sit if they’re feeling worried or shy about talking to their classmates; the installation of a Wellness Wall to post positive mental health messages; or the establishment of a Student Wellbeing Committee. 

• Most Creative Idea

  This award brings the wow factor! We’re looking for the most original, inventive, or fun ideas used to open conversations, reduce stigma or share positive messages around mental health. From Wellbeing Clubs to positive poster campaigns, and from creating online webinars to running a social media campaign for students, there’s no shortage to the ways your imagination can take you for this! Ideas can include the innovative ways you helped your students to maintain positive mental health during school closures or changes in the classroom due to public health guidelines, and the kinds of activities that create big impact even with very small budgets. 

• Best Programme Activity

  This award celebrates innovative mental health programmes and initiatives which reach out to young people, teachers and the community and provide meaningful, lasting support. These programmes involve a calendar of mental health events or activities, such as Wellness Walks or mindfulness classes.