Waterford student Katie Nolan is one of 125 across the country who took part in the Walk in My Shoes programme, as mental health ambassadors.
The awareness campaign for transition year students is run annually by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.
Katie, who attends Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford joined the other TY students as a mental health ambassador during a special online ceremony for Walk in My Shoes, held to celebrate the class of 2021/2022.
About Walk in my Shoes
The week-long programme runs five times during the academic year between October and March, with 20 to 25 students per programme.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the programme was adapted to an online format, and has been delivered digitally.
During their placements, 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; hear from people who have gone through mental health difficulties and their experiences of recovery.
They also discuss mental health stigma and ways to tackle it.
With significant challenges to recruitment noted over the last few years, particularly in the mental health sector, the TY Programme also provides students with a chance to learn about career pathways in mental health and the various opportunities for a career in this sector.
The programme is hosted by the adolescent mental health team and staff at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, who deliver approximately 20 sessions to students across the week.
This year, the participants undertook a range of activities which included viewing a mock multidisciplinary team meeting with psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses and social workers; t
To date, over 1,000 students have completed the Transition Year programme. You'll find more information here.
