Every high school pupil in East Kilbride is set to benefit from a vital mental health initiative run by local suicide prevention charity Adored.
Earlier this year the East Kilbride-based charity completed a pilot programme with fourth year pupils at Calderglen High School which offers coping strategies for stress and anxiety.
They linked up with No Limits Coaching which is a Scottish independent charity providing a unique combination of prevention, early intervention and crisis support.
They offer practical and emotional help and support to young people struggling with life.
Following its success, the groundbreaking initiative is now being rolled out to every secondary school in East Kilbride.
Adored has now linked up with St Andrew’s and St Bride’s and Duncanrig secondary schools to offer the bespoke programme which caters to the needs of pupils.
Calderglen will embark on their second programme this term.
Adored charity was set up by the family of 18-year-old former Calderglen pupil Alexander Iain Bonomy-Lindsay who tragically took his own life in 2018.
The cause aims to keep his memory alive while helping young men who are struggling with their mental health.
Alex’s mum Jill Bonomy-Lindsay said: “Adored’s purpose is mental health and suicide prevention and we believe that education is the key to ensuring that our young people have the skills and strategies to be able to navigate life’s challenges without detriment to mental health.
“We are delighted to be able to offer this support to each of the secondary schools in East Kilbride and extend our gratitude to all the amazing donations so many local people, businesses and establishments have gifted to the charity.
“Alex was very much a people’s person and I know that he would be proud of the work being done.”
Adored in conjunction with No Limits Coaching worked with a group of pupils identified by the school as requiring some intervention to be able to access the curriculum.
For a variety of reasons there are numerous pupils who struggle to attend school or to sustain classes.
For a week Allan Syme from No Limits Coaching worked with the pupils on a programme designed to address individual concerns or worries.
And, whilst building positive relationships, encouraged a variety of strategies and life coaching skills in order to deal with the barriers preventing the pupils from coping with school.
The programme included a visit to local wellbeing centre Soul Suites and some outdoor activities allowing the pupils to understand the power of nature when dealing with mental health.
Praising the initiative, Calderglen pupil Calum said: “Allan was relatable – by sharing his story I immediately trusted him and felt he wanted to support us. Made me realise you can overcome challenges, helped me build strategies to prepare me to leave school – big change but realised I’m ready.
“Loved the experience of going outdoors and going to soul suites – good laugh and made me realise it’s something I want to do more often.”
Feedback from another pupil read: “Breathing exercises and meditation made me feel very calm afterwards. I have been doing breathing exercises every day before and after school. This has helped me relax and clear my mind.”
Another wrote: “Working together in the group was good – realised I’m not alone. Allan’s lived experience was the best bit – we need more of this!”
Meanwhile, members of Langlands Golf Club have been working closely with Adored to support the charity at their recent fundraising events.
This year the club has raised £1500 for the cause to highlight how important this charity is locally in saving lives and providing help to young people suffering from mental health, particularly young men.
Donations were raised through raffles on both the club’s ladies and gents open days, where golfers take part in a Texas Scramble and Tri Am.
The ladies captain day raised funds with donated pay in’s and by fining members 50p if they didn’t call their fellow members by their made-up golfing name given by Lady Captain Lyn Doran.
For more information on Adored visit facebook.com/AdoredSCIO/
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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