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OUR Generation, a youth mental health initiative supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme was officially launched earlier this month.
OUR Generation is a partnership led by Action Mental Health, and the aim of the project is to empower and invest in our young people. Bringing together the expertise of nine partner organisations, the project is committed to delivering impactful initiatives under the specific objective of ‘Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing.’
The cross-border partnership consists of: Action Mental Health, Donegal Youth Service, Co-operation Ireland, Youth Action NI, Youth Work Ireland, Playboard NI, Boys & Girls Clubs NI, Include Youth, and Ulster University.
Speaking about plans for this area, youth worker Sean McCluskey said "As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen cross-border relationships, OUR Generation is collaborating with all of our partners in Louth and Newry, to develop and deliver youth-led shared learning, and social action projects including art and music.
"By using creativity as a tool, we aim to build resilience and promote positive mental health amongst young people. This collaboration fosters connections, encourages skill development, and supports the creation of stronger, more supportive communities across the border." Events will be published on the OUR Generation website as they happen.
Gina McIntyre, Chief Executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) said: “This partnership provides an excellent opportunity to create sustainable models of peace building and reconciliation by bringing people together, breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma and delivering real improvements to mental health and emotional wellbeing. OUR Generation will provide young people, youth workers, teachers, care providers and volunteers with the knowledge and the tools they need to bring about positive change."
Supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) the Project will develop and deliver programmes to increase mental health literacy, enhance emotional resilience, build the leadership skills of children and young people (aged 9-25) and will lead research in mental health and the impact of trauma on our communities.
The project will run in education, youth and community settings across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland to contribute to peace and reconciliation through a range of cross-community and cross-border youth mental health and wellbeing models, peace and youth leadership programmes which will instil confidence in young people to act as agents of change, building peace for future generations.
David Babington, Chief Executive of lead partner Action Mental Health delivered the closing remarks at the launch. He said: “Action Mental Health was delighted to be awarded PEACEPLUS funding for the OUR Generation Project. The partnership is well established and has been delivering much needed support to communities previously, it has a strong foundation on which to build for the duration of the funding. This time the project will contribute to peace and reconciliation through a range of cross-community and cross-border youth mental health and wellbeing models, peace and youth leadership programmes, and programmes which instil confidence in young people to act as agents of change, building peace for future generations."
Visit ourgeneration-cyp.com for more details on upcoming events
