Tag: Mental Health Week

World Mental Health Day

Well done to the 3A and 3B class who spent the day hiking in Ballyhoura. What better way to mark World Mental Health day than to blow off the cobwebs on top of Seefin Mountain!! In a year where minding our mental health has never been so important it was great to spend the day outdoors enjoying what Co Limerick has to offer. Good luck to the 3C and 3D classes who head off tomorrow

Four seasons in a day

Torc Mountain 2018

The four hour walk as part of Mental Health Week 2018, took the students from the base of the Waterfall at Torc in Killarney to the top of Top Mountain, a 5km climb of 535m (1755ft) in just over 2 hours. Over the 5km we experienced every weather from beautiful sunshine to driving wind and rain at the top. After a quick bite to eat in the shelter from the wind it was back down to the warmth and sunshine. Unfortunately no spectacular views from the top this year, maybe next time…

Student Cycle

Embracing the new ‘Wellbeing’ programme of the new Junior Certificate, Hazelwood students take to the bikes on Thursday morning. A great morning out, as students are reminded of the benefits of fresh air and exercise on our mental health

Here is a short video from the day:

Torc Mountain

Images from the recent Climb of Torc Mountain by Transition Years

The four hour walk took the students from the base of the Waterfall at Torc in Killarney to the top of Top Mountain, a 5km climb of 535m (1755ft) in just over 2 hours. The walk took the steep tourist climb from the base of the waterfall to the top of the waterfall. They followed the Old Kenmare Road between Torc and Mangerton mountains until they reached the south face of Torc. From there it was a trek along the OPW constructed trail to the top where a fantastic 360′ panoramic view was to seen on what was a cold but clear day. In the northly wind it was a crisp 7′C at the top.

Torc Hike

Transition Year Students recently attempted to climb Torc Mountain in County Kerry as part of Hazelwood College’s Mental Health Week activities. The walk started out in some slight rain and slack wind, unfortunately it wasn’t reflective of what was happening at the top of the mountain. The walk turned into one of the most memorable events in years, challenging the positive mental health of each of the participants. With only 300m left to get to the top we had to abandon the walk and head for home such was the strength of the wind approaching the top.

Here are some photos of the day.

Hazelwood College Transition Year students are pictured taking a break in the course of their hike up Torc Mountain. The students participated in the event as part of Mental Health week. The benefits of physical well being for mental health were underlined in the course of their preparations for the walk.
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Hazelwood College teacher, Ms Gemma Curtin (left) pictured with Hazelwood College Transition Year students Ciara O’Callaghan (centre) and Edel O’Flynn (right) in the course of their walk up Torc Mountain. The walk, as part of Mental Health Week, highlighted ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’.
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Hazelwood College Transition Year students pictured by Torc Waterfall at the culmination of their walk as part of Mental Health Week. Pictured are Back row (left to right): Mary-Kate Fehin, Aisling Enright, Millie Mulcahy, Eliza Reidy, Clodagh Walsh, Mairíde Bennis. Middle row (left to right): Edel O’Flynn, Ciara O’Flynn, Ciara O’Callaghan, Katie Ryan, Molly Kirwan, Megan Nolan, Amy Ryan, Martin Daly, Eoin Enright, Ava Mullane, Neasa Fahy and Jake O’Sullivan, Front row (left to right) Barry Murphy, Ronan Cahill, Michael Brennan and Ben Murphy.

Hazelwood College Transition Year student Martin Daly participates in the Torc Mountain Walk Challenge as part of Mental Health Week.

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Hazelwood College Transition Year students pictured in the course of their walk up Torc Mountain, as part of their Mental Health Week Activities. Pictured are back row (left to right) Mary-Kate Fehin and Neasa Fahy. Front row (left to right): Amy Ryan and Ava Mullane

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Other Gallery Photos:

Knockfeirna and Positive Mental Health

Hazelwood College Leaving Certificate Applied students recently climbed Knockfeirna as part of their Positive Mental Health Promotion Fortnight. Students were encouraged to undertake this physical challenge in order to gain a sense of positive achievement on reaching the summit, while also working together through encouragement. Pictured are (back row left to right) Colm McMahon, Michael Geary and William Boyce. Middle row (left to right): Dylan Hennessy, Timmy Brosnan, Jack Willas, Liam McDermott, Dean Falvy, Jack M. McCarthy, Conor Roche, Darren Wright and Shelia Browne. Front row Shauna Hartnett (standing) and Muireann Kelly (crouched).

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Alan Quinlan Visit

Parents Association Hazelwood College Invites Mr Alan Quinlan to address Staff & Students on Mental Health.
November 30th 2015
By: Joan Twohill, Secretary.

The Monday morning blues were short lived in Hazelwood College last week, where students and staff were treated to a visit from Retired Irish Rugby Union Player and Positive Mental Health Ambassador Mr Alan Quinlan. Alan is a 2 time Heineken Cup winner and was in fact voted ‘’ Man of the Match’’ as Munster beat Toulouse in 2008 when Munster won the Heineken Cup for the second time. Alan Quinlan was part of the selection panel to play in the 2003 & 2007 Word Cups, retiring from Rugby in 2011.

Alan has spoken many times and has written about his own experiences of Mental Health, depression, anxiety and how he realised the importance of seeking help in his recovery played.

In Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher on Monday 30th November last, Alan Quinlan delivered an inspiring speech to over 600 Students and their teachers, reinforcing the importance of looking after our Mental Health. One could hear a pen drop in the room as Alan spoke of his own personal struggle with Mental Health. He gave some great advice to all of us, for example the importance of shearing our worries and fears with those around us, that we might look great on the outside but we never know how one is feeling on the inside. Exercise, Diet , hobbies, staying away from drugs & smoking all play a huge role in Positive Mental Health Wellbeing.

It is important to take time out to ask the person beside us ‘’ how are you ?’’ Simple but shows we care.
Alan Quinlan’s message with regard to Mental Health Awareness complimented the great work in this area already being carried out by the Students in Hazelwood College and their teachers. The School has entered in the Mental Health Association’s Public Speaking Competitions for a number of years, having won the Limerick County Final three times and making it to the All Ireland Semi Final stages.

This helped enormously to remove the stigma attached to speaking out about mental health, making Hazelwood College a better and safer place to be in for both students and Teachers.

‘’ In life we cannot stop the waves of challenge that we are continually faced with , At times we need help in figuring out how to conquer problems and really the solution is to talk and keep talking and sharing our worries and woes’’ This is a Quote from a Leaving Cert Student, Mary Cussen, who was preparing her speech for the Schools next Debate.

The Parents Association of Hazelwood College would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Alan Quinlan for his Inspiring visit to our School, to the Principal Mr Brendan Burke and his Staff, for facilitating this visit and we hope that this day will have a long-lasting special effect on us all.

I leave you with a lovely Quote which I came across recently.
‘’Never give up on someone with a Mental Illness. When ‘’ I ‘’ is replaced by ‘’ We ‘’ illness becomes Wellness. – Shannon L. Alder