Preparations for the 2011/2012 Mental Health Ireland National Public Speaking project for second level schools throughout the Country are now underway.
Mayo Mental Health Association, who organises and promotes the project in Mayo, encourages all second level schools in the county to participate by entering a team in this positive mental health awareness project.
Participating teams will consist of three student speakers (and a Substitute) who will address a topic or a team topic from a list of topics supplied by the Mental Health Association.
Winners of the preliminary rounds will contest the Mayo Final and if successful will go on to participate in Regional Finals, the National semi-final and on to the National Final which will be held in the Edmund Burke Theatre, Trinity College, Dublin on Saturday 9th April 2011 at 4.00 pm.
The Public Speaking Project was launched nationally by Mental Health Ireland to promote awareness among young people of the importance of maintaining good mental health and to encourage and motivate students to be conscious of the need to value and foster a positive approach to the maintenance of good mental health throughout their lifetime.
A recent evaluation of the project confirmed the following benefits of participation:
- Increased self-confidence
- Positive rapport and relationship with parents and fellow students
- Encouragement of social awareness and values
- Career motivation and success at interviews and examinations
- Broader understanding and appreciation of the concerns of disadvantaged groups and social problems
- School and community co-operation and sense of pride and achievement
- Research methods and topics analysis
- Improved PUBLIC SPEAKING ability
For all the above reasons, we ask you to promote the Public Speaking Project within your school.
For more information E-mail us at mayomha@eircom.net