News
AWARE launch Poetry Competition
AWARE has launched a Poetry Competition for post-primary schools to celebrate World Poetry Day on 21st March 2016
The poetry competition in in celebration of World Poetry Day 2016. Declared by UNESCO in 1999, World Poetry Day was set aside to celebrate and recognise reading
The poetry competition called, ‘Unleash our Voices’ was launched in Sacred Heart Grammar school in Newry on 20 January 2016. Writing can be a very powerful way to talk about mental health and also helps challenge the stigma associated with it.
Colleen Milligan, Schools & Corporate Fundraiser for the charity explained,
“People who are affected by mental ill health may not feel able to talk about how they are feeling. However, writing can be a creative tool for many people to express themselves freely. It is also a powerful way to tackle the stigma associated with mental illness.
“We are encouraging every school to take part in this competition which will help promote creativity amongst students and give them the opportunity to freely express their emotions and feelings around mental health.”
Fiona Quinn, Year 10 Year Head, from Sacred Heart Grammar School said,
“As teachers, we try to give our pupils the life skills to deal with any situation. Modern life creates many pressure and stresses for them that are often unacknowledged. There is still a stigma attached to Mental Health issues. Any activity that helps to raise awareness of this and encourages students to express themselves can only be a positive thing, and we are delighted to be a part of it.”
