Worcestershire Advance, the membership group for the career-minded, has pledged its support for Worcestershire’s next generation of employees. Its latest initiative will help students aged 16 to 18 develop a better understanding of how to achieve and maintain good mental health. By giving them help at an early stage, it is hoped that they will grow up to be confident and resilient, in readiness for joining Worcestershire’s thriving business community.
Monies raised at Worcestershire Advance’s summer fete, held in August at The Commandery, Worcester, will enable Carie Workman, a registered Mental Health Nurse, to visit eleven schools and sixth form colleges across the region. There she will lead assemblies on mental health, coaching strategies and coping skills. Students will then be invited to receive tailored advice from Carie during a private drop-in clinic.
Carie comments, “It’s so important to talk to young people about mental health, especially in this age of social media. I’m looking forward to helping more teenagers be open about how they are feeling as it will help them support others as well as manage their own wellbeing.”
Schools taking part include Chadsgrove School (Bromsgrove), Stourport High School & VIth Form College (Stourport-on-Severn), Arrow Vale RSA Academy (Redditch), North Bromsgrove High School & Sixth Form (Bromsgrove), The De Montfort School (Evesham), Worcester Sixth Form College (Worcester) and Wolverley CE Secondary School & Sixth Form (Wolverley, Kidderminster).
Chris Orr, the outgoing Chair of Worcestershire Advance, comments, “This project is one that we are all very passionate about. With research published by NHS Digital showing that one in eight school-age children has an identified mental health disorder, we felt we needed to make a difference now. I am proud that we are able to do our bit to help the next generation have a better insight in respect of their mental health, the challenges that they may face, and the coping mechanisms that will allow them to be successful.”