The ‘Amber Flag’ project is similar to ‘Green Schools’ where a school promotes the values of Pieta House, a non for profit organisation that seeks to preventing suicide & self-harm. Pieta House provides a free, therapeutic approach to people who are in suicidal distress and those who engage in self-harm. The charity’s colour is Amber, which symbolising Positive Mental Health. Causeway Comprehensive already does a huge amount of work in promoting positive mental health and attaining this flag will signify our positive approach towards Mental Health Awareness. The school has established an Amber Flag committee team comprising staff and student representatives to drive this initiative and have carried out a positive mental health week in the school. The week’s activities included meditation to all sixth years led by the school chaplain.
Guest speaker from mental health service Jigsaw gave a talk on the “Positivitree” and the importance of mental health to all fifth years. Third years took part in Drop Everything and Walk event, a mental health break. All second years had Zumba class and the important link between physical and mental health was highlighted. A Dance Day was provided for first years to promote activity and mental health. SPHE teachers ran a poster competition with junior cycle students. The English Department used poetry to promote resilience in class time. All these activities seek to promote positive mental health within the school community.
Throughout the year the school has also ran a number of events to promote the Amber Flag initiative. A Mental Health Awareness day to be held just before the spring mid-term break and students dressed in Amber in support of the charity. The school students also raised over seven hundred euros for the charity having a non-uniform day. This cheque was present last Wednesday to Con O’Connor of Pieta House by some of the senior cycle students of the school (pictured). Also an Amber Flag noticeboard, which may be seen in the main corridor of the school was established with positive images, quotes and slogans which is updated throughout the year. These activates seek to build upon the already good work in the area of positive mental health that is ongoing in Causeway Comprehensive.