STUDENTS from The Petersfield School joined those from seven other schools, including Churcher’s College and Bohunt, at a conference aimed at helping young people recognise mental health related issues.
Held at East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) offices in Penns Place, it was organised by The King’s Arms youth centre of Petersfield, Havant and East Hants MIND and volunteer students from Alton College.
The day saw talks from experts in the field, including Andy Kennedy, of Hampshire County Council’s Family Support Service, and Mike, a blogger who talks about mental health on his site Mike’s Open Journal.
The students also explored toxic thinking, made stress balls, discussed case studies, found out about useful mobile apps, and made pledges on how they were going to improve mental health provision in their school.
Caroline Aeschliman, of The King’s Arms, said: “Thank you to all the youth workers and volunteer students who gave their time to make it such a great event. We were so pleased with the number of schools that were involved and for the willing participation of all the young people who attended.”
EHDC leader Cllr Richard Millard added: “There’s so much young people have to deal with. We can use the information gathered to work out how we can help mental health issues in young people.”