By Liz Godfrey, Youth Engagement Officer

From their very first session thinking about how to transform our world, Tilley and LaShay, two Year 9 students at The East Manchester Academy, were keen to set up a Mental Health Support project.

"We both have family members that have experienced and struggled with this type of thing and we have been there in the moment and know how difficult this can be."

After the many disruptions due to Covid, they saw that a lot of their friends were also struggling to feel positive about the future, but didn’t want to admit it.

Their aim was to let other students know that they weren’t on their own and there was a safe space to find help.

"We chose to do this because we are passionate about people's mental well being, we want people to know that someone is there for them, because not everyone has that opportunity."

Tilley and LaShay decided to research and create pamphlets destigmatising mental health issues and explaining ways that students can improve their mental fitness.

They took these to the school councillor to get the go ahead and then hope to organise a support area in the school canteen.

To promote their campaign they have created a Powerpoint to be shown in assembly then towards the end of term, the girls are planning to man their stall for a week, handing out leaflets and badges ‘to remind people that someone cares’.  

The East Manchester Academy is supported by Youth Engagement Officer Liz, funded by #iwill