Davis College students with teacher Colette O’Callaghan and the cheque for 800 euro received from YSI Dragons’ Den.
The Davis College YSI class pitched at the Young Social Innovators Den on Thursday last, January 30th. The Den, a component of the YSI Programme, sees successfully shortlisted schools pitch for mentoring, money or means. The students involved, Meadhbh Sexton, Liam O’Herlihy and Domas Kalesnykas made a hugely successful pitch for their project ‘Mental Health: The Ripple Effect’. The students feel that we all have a role to play, we must all work together, to combat mental illness. The class have compiled an action plan which contains a suite of measures, some of which have been executed and others which are in the process of being implemented. They have designed a mental health lapel pin which they are hoping will be worn by the masses, and symbolise an ever-present listening ear. They note that, although other social issues have corresponding lapel pins, the pressing issue of mental health does not, so they feel this initiative has the potential to be powerful. Diane Finucane of Mallow Town Council has been instrumental in securing a premises for the group, who will set up a pop-up shop in the town. Sarah Buckley of West End Art Studios has kindly offered to host the shop. The shop will not alone sell the lapel pins, but also a range of clothing which the students have also designed, with all profits from the sale of both going to Jigsaw and Pieta House. It is hoped the presence of the shop will also spread awareness amongst the greater community of the importance of positive mental health.