An online teaching platform to help equip students across Ireland with practical tools for building resilience, emotional intelligence and positive mental health.
The new school season of the Tackle Your Feelings Schools (TYF) online teaching platform includes an 8-lesson schedule, covering awareness, emotions, wellbeing characteristics and self-care, and was launched last week, with Rugby Players Ireland teaming up with Irish internationals, Calvin Nash and Christy Haney. As part of the launch, TYF are encouraging teachers and schools nationwide to now sign up to the free classroom-based programme.
A research study (with 8 teachers) is being conducted in association with the University of Limerick to assess teachers’ perspectives on the experience of facilitating the TYF programme on youth mental wellbeing. Preliminary results indicate that teachers are finding that TYF normalises conversations around mental wellbeing. Teachers noted that implementing TYF Schools encouraged dialogue around mental wellbeing by acting as “a catalyst for them to talk about it”.
SCHOOLS ENCOURAGED TO COME ON BOARD
TYF are running a nationwide competition which will give teachers from each of the four provinces the chance to win two tickets to a rugby game of their provincial team this season. To enter, teachers and their school must be signed up to deliver the programme this school year, 2024/2025. Those who have registered their interest and completed the full sign-up will be contacted with further details from the Tackle Your Feelings team.
On the teaching platform, teachers are equipped with the tools and resources to guide their students through relevant lessons. The students will complete tasks and exercises designed to make them more aware and knowledgeable about their own mental health and wellbeing, with guidance and support throughout their journey Our Rugby Players Ireland ambassadors also appear in short videos, giving their own experiences of mental wellbeing, acting as role models to encourage students to be honest with themselves when it comes to their positive mental health.
With over 190 schools nationwide already signed up since the start of the academic year, the Tackle Your Feelings Schools Programme is a classroom-based, teacher-led, life skills development programme which is supporting the required Wellbeing Curriculum in schools around the country. The content for the programme, is developed using positive and sport psychology principles, and has been approved by clinical and educational psychologists and is supported with comprehensive lesson plans for teachers, whilst students can easily access the content when in school or at home.
TALKING OPENLY
Speaking at the launch, Ireland and Munster Rugby player and Tackle Your Feelings ambassador, Calvin Nash said: “I wish I had access to a programme like TYF Schools when I was growing up. It’s so important for young people to learn how to manage stress, build resilience, and talk openly about their mental health. This ready-to-go programme provides teachers with the resources they need to help their students understand their own positive mental wellbeing, and they can even get something out of it themselves.”
For more information on Tackle Your Feelings follow the Instagram account @tyf or visit the website www.tackleyourfeelings.com which will share videos, updates on events and competitions. You can also download the TYF Schools app via the iOS and Android app stores.
