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A RecommendAtion foR Young fine gAel

Promoting Positive Mental Health

Promoting Positive Mental Health

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Dear Member,

As part of Young Fine Gael’s policy direction during this National Executive’s term, Mental Health is a major section that we want to focus on.

We have developed two major policies on Mental Health - one external policy that includes many different ideas that Government can adopt to improve Mental Health in our country and one internal policy that can show how we as a youth political organisation can make a difference.

If Young Fine Gael is to be taken seriously on this issue, we have to prove that we are serious. This document contains changes that are going to be implement to ensure that Young Fine Gael is a friendly and safe place for our members Mental Health.

Yours sincerely,

Dale McDermott

President

Young Fine Gael

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Mental Health has been close to the heart of many Young Fine Gael members over the past number of years. Due to this the Policy Sub-Committee decided to look at what Young Fine Gael can do, as an organisation, for its members and help support them in their communities. The subcommittee and the National Executive hope that this document will form the basis for a number of internal actions by YFG at National, Regional and Branch level on Mental Health.

This document should compliment the external policies that we have set out in the document “Positive Thinking, Positive Action; A YFG Policy Document on Mental Health in Ireland”. YFG will be lobbying the Government and other bodies to implement these proposals.

Mental Health is a serious issue in Ireland and especially for Young People. In Ireland there are approximately 550 suicides per annum, approximately 12,000 cases of deliberate self-harm treated per annum, while a further 60,000 cases of self-harm are estimated as “hidden cases” per annum. Furthermore the average age for the first act of self-harm is 16 years old. These are sobering statistics and show why action is needed from all sections of society, not just Government and stakeholders.

As a youth organisation YFG is in the ideal situation to do something to challenge the stigma around mental health and to support members should they need the support. By equipping YFG members, with the resources and skills to tackle these issues, members can also be a source of support for their families, friends, and communities.

Stephen Spillane

Director of Policy

Introduction

Promoting Positive Mental Health

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Safetalk Training For All National Executive Members, Branch Chairs And Secretaries And Regional Council Members

An Amber Flag for Young Fine Gael

BackgroundNational Executive Members, Branch Chairs and Secretaries and Regional Council Members play an active and visible role in the organisation. They are often ‘go to’ people for many Young Fine Gael members. As an organisation YFG should put the mental health of its members as a priority. To support this specific training will be given to National Executive Members, Branch Chairs and Secretaries and Regional Council Members. This will allow them to support the membership through difficult times whether at local, regional or national events. This will also allow member with this training to become a support in their own communities.

PolicyThat all National Executive Members, Branch Chairs and Secretaries and Regional Council Members will receive, at minimum, SAFETALK training with the possibility of ASSIST and QPR training for those who are interested.

BackgroundThe AMBER FLAG initiative aims to encourage Schools/Colleges/ Clubs/Societies/Organisations to promote and actively bring about a culture change in the promotion of positive mental health within the educational system and other organisations. It is offered by the Mental Health Charity, Suicide Aware.

What the Amber Flag does is acknowledge these efforts and unite all schools/clubs/societies/community groups in the promotion of “Positive Mental Health”. It becomes a daily topic of conversation leading to a cultural shift where mental health becomes “The Norm” leading to the breaking down of ‘stigma’, whish is often associated with mental health, resulting in individuals seeking help sooner, when mental health issues arise.

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PolicyYFG will work towards achieving an Amber Flag for the organisation by completing the following steps:

Amber Flag Achievement Steps for Clubs/Societies/Associations/Companies 1. The Club must establish an Amber Flag Project Team. The names of the members of the team shall

be recorded on Form 1 at the commencement of each year. This project team may vary from 2 to as many members as the club wishes. One member shall be named as the Co-ordinator of the Amber Flag initiative. The terms of reference of the project team should be to promote Positive Mental Health in the Club and should take cognisance of roles already in existence in the Club that may already have an involvement in this area. Professionals such as Chairman/ Coaches/Trainers have an invaluable role to play in such matters and should be consulted prior to the formation of the committee. It is up to each Club to decide how the team shall operate. Records of meetings/activities shall be kept for evidence of the work of the team.

2. Once constituted the team shall prepare an Audit of the activities and services in the Club that promote an ethos of Positive Mental Health. These are recorded on Form 2.

3. The Club should then identify 3 goals/tasks to enhance the existing educational provision and support structures in the area of mental health promotion in the Club. These should be achievable in the duration of one year. A Mental Health Awareness Day/Evening must be included as one of the 3 goals. This could be a fixed date each year. These should be recorded on Form 3.

4. Once the goals have been agreed an Application for the Amber Flag may be made using Form 4 or made online. The address for this application is contained in this Amber Flag booklet.

5. Once approved, the Flag will be sent to your Club and must be flown outside the Club building in a conspicuous place where it will convey the caring ethos of your Club and the importance it places on Mental Health.

6. The team must then carry out its 3 goals over the year in which the flag was presented. A number of suggestions to assist teams are available in this guide but this list is not exhaustive and teams are encouraged to develop their own ideas.

7. Clubs must elect a new team at the beginning of each year and outline its 3 goals/tasks for the next year on a new Form 3. This should be signed by the co-ordinator.

Draft terms of Reference for the Amber Committee is in Appendix A. The Forms referenced above are available on suicideaware.ie and in the Amber Flag Booklet.

Promoting Positive Mental Health

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YFG to meet National Quality Standard (NQS) for Volunteer led youth groups

BackgroundThe NQS were developed to ensure quality standards are met by youth groups who receive funding from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA). While these standards are mandatory for groups who receive funding from DCYA, they are not mandatory for YFG. We believe that YFG should aim to meet these standards at a national, regional and local level. This will ensure that Branches and the National Organisation meet the highest quality of standards in Ireland.

PolicyThe National Executive, National Youth Officer, Regional Councils and College and Local Branches will work towards meeting the National Quality Standards to ensure that YFG core principles remains to be young person centred, safety and well-being orientated and is aimed at development and educational.

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YFG Amber Flag Committee Terms of Referencen The Committee will be chaired by a member of National Executive.

n The Committee will be composed of 6 ordinary members and interested National Executive members. At least one member of the National Executive must serve on the committee to act as National Executive Liaison and Chair.

n The National Youth Officer (NYO) will be an ex-officio member of the committee.

n The aim of the committee will be to satisfy the criteria set out by Suicide Aware in order for YFG to receive an Amber Flag. (www.suicideaware.ie)

n The Committee will review YFG events to see what Mental Health actions or events can be implemented during them.

n Create and deliver a campaign: Mental Health Awareness Week/Month that would run across the organisation.

n Look at the role Regional Councils and Branches can play and support them on any initiative they may wish to take.

n Organise SafeTALK/Assist/QPR Training for Chairs and Secretaries as well as member of the National Executive.

Fine Gael National Headquarters, 51 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2Phone: 01 619 8444 Fax: 01 662 5046

Email: yfg@yfg.ie Web: www.yfg.ie