Focus Ireland works with all the disadvantaged and homeless people in the country. They offer help, advice, education, and a place to sleep. They also help people to keep and remain in their homes. They believe that everyone has a right to a place they can call home. Their reason for this campaign is to address the cause and effects of homelessness.

On October 19th 2023, our school hosted a TY sleepover which commenced at 8pm inside the assembly hall. The cost was €10 which gets donated to the charity. Students were provided with pizza and drinks around 10pm. Students spent some time outdoors during the night to really get a feeling of homelessness. This was a great experience for the kids as they seen the reality of life.

We interviewed a student about their experience at the sleepover, they said that it was a fantastic experience that they got involved with. The TY students got an idea of homelessness while they were outside at 1am! They got to spend quality time with their peers inside while also enjoying a scary movie and eating pizza! It was a very fun and successful night.

By Casey Horner

World Mental Health Day

Recently in Scoil Mhuire we celebrated World Mental Health Day, and we would love to give you some more information on it! Remember to take care of yourselves over these next few winter months and know it is always okay to ask for help.

World Mental Health Day: What is it?

Every year on the 10th of October, it is World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day is a day you can take off school or work, to focus on yourself, to help you relax, have fun, relieve stress and prevent burnout. World Mental Health Day has existed since 1992, when Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter of the World Federation for Mental Health first started it as an Annual Event. Every year since 2013, World Mental Health Day has a different theme. This year, the theme was: “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right”

Why is it so celebrated recently?

It is celebrated to raise awareness about people’s mental health and to show that mental health matters. Recently, it has been celebrated even more as mental health has become a more inclusive topic these days, and poor mental health has become a lot more common. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), since 2017, mental health conditions have increased by 13%. With mental health decreasing around the world, the need to celebrate World Mental Health Day is a lot more important.

What can you do?

There are many ways to celebrate World Mental Health Day! Even something as simple as wearing yellow clothes. By doing this, you show that young people’s mental health matters. You can also take the day off of work or school to focus on your mental health, especially if you’re struggling with your mental health. You can reach out to a friend who you know is struggling with their mental health and give them help and support to help them feel seen, and to let them know they are not alone. If you are not too educated on mental health and illnesses, you can take the day to educate yourself on mental health and illness too. As long as you feel like you’re celebrating it, and doing something good for your mental health, or the mental health of others, you’re doing it right.

By Oisín Stewart

Gaisce

● Gaisce is a youth award in Ireland established in 1985 where students are challenged by the president, Michael D Higgins to try and learn new skills and get involved in their communities.

● Ty students are taking part in Gaisce and are trying to get their Bronze award. To get this award they have to put in an hour a week to a personal skill, community involvement, and physical recreation for 13 weeks and put in another 13 weeks to any one of the challenge areas they also must spend a minimum of 2 days and 1 night on their adventure journey.

● For their adventure journey, the Tys went glamping in Creeslough at the start of the year where they went surfing and did activities on the beach as well as a small hike the next day.

 They also went on an 8km hike around Dumfries as part of their adventure journey. 

By Ava Callaghan