Alex Greaney
Blackrock company, workplace services provider Sodexo Ireland, has announced a two-year charity partnership with A Lust for Life, an award-winning Irish mental health charity for young people.
An initial €30,000 in funding will support the junior and senior infants’ level of a nationwide schools’ programme developed by the charity to support mental health at the very beginning of education. Further funds will be provided over the coming two years via Sodexo’s Stop Hunger Foundation.
The partnership reflects Sodexo’s commitment to a proactive approach in supporting mental health and early intervention for future generations of young people in Ireland. A Lust for Life’s mission is to be the solution – to shift the dial, and to create a shift in how talking about, treating, and educating the next generation about their mental health.
A Lust for Life’s Junior and Senior Infants programme will roll out next year and will be accessible to around 142,000 children aged 5-7 annually, which equates to 26% of the overall number of primary school students in Ireland. The free 10-week, Netflix style digital programme, includes lesson plans, class activities, and mindfulness exercises. It was created by psychologists, teachers, and educational specialists and through consultation with parents, teachers, and children.
The World Health Organisation has stated that 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24.
Niall Breslin, co-founder of A Lust for Life, is one of Ireland’s most formidable and inspiring mental health advocates and public speakers. Niall said: “We’re delighted to partner with Sodexo and the Stop Hunger Foundation which is generously supporting our work – and our mission – to change the face of mental health in Ireland for our children and young people. Investment in circuit breaking programmes like ours is what will shift the dial on the wellbeing of the next generation to come – who will have skills and tools previous generations never had to effectively manage their mental health. We’re immensely grateful.”
PHOTO – Pictured are Niall Breslin, co-founder of A Lust for Life with James, Lauren and Daniel Fox at St.Columcille’s school in Knocklyon, Dublin.
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