110 Transition Year students from across Ireland graduated as Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) mental health ambassadors during a special online ceremony held to celebrate the class of 2024/2025.
Mental health ambassador 2024/25 programme
For 14 years, WIMS have facilitated a Transition Year (TY) Programme, with over 100 students from across Ireland taking part annually.
Students receive first-hand insight into how a mental healthcare service operates and the experiences of those with mental health difficulties. They meet mental health experts and clinicians and discover the various roles in mental healthcare; hear from people who have gone through mental health difficulties and their experiences of mental health recovery; and discuss mental health stigma and ways to tackle it.
During the programme, participants undertake a range of activities, which include viewing a mock multidisciplinary team meeting with psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses and social workers; taking part in sessions with pharmacists, the medical director and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO); and participating in group presentations.
Throughout the week, students build their mental health awareness and leave the programme empowered to act as mental health ambassadors in both their schools and local communities.
Graduation
To celebrate their completion of the programme, students took part in an online graduation ceremony in May, joined by their families and staff from WIMS and St Patrick’s Mental Health Services (SPMHS). Paul Gilligan, CEO with SPMHS opened the ceremony with an opening address congratulating students on their achievements before TY graduate Emer Corcoran spoke to give us a first-hand account of her experience on the programme.
Sinead O’Kelly, Mental Health Promotion Manager at SPMHS, said:
“SPMHS TY Programme is a valuable opportunity for students to learn more about mental health in a real-life hospital setting."
"Not only does it give young people insight into the field, but it also helps them better understand their own mental wellbeing."
By engaging in a programme informed by mental health professionals and learning in a supportive environment, students are supported to build empathy and resilience and develop tools for managing everyday stressors.”
