Institute of Guidance Counsellors
© 2016 AmberFlag.org
the Amber Flag Initiatives
SEWARD HOUSE CORK
Here in Seward House we commenced with Amber Flag Initiatives in April of 2016. That's when we published our first newsletter dedicated to promoting positive mental health. The news letter is called Seward's Amber Flag. Application to the Institute of Guidance Councillors for the Amber Flag Award is still in process. In Seward House students are starting and ending their courses all the time so securing an Amber Flag Committee is an ongoing process. We do however have full support from all students, staff and management. Please refer to www.nln.ie for information about courses on offers and eligibility.
The students in Seward House want to gain an Amber Flag for the centre. The Amber Flag is awarded to schools/ colleges/ organisations who effectively promote positive mental health. Applications for this project can be made to the Institute of Guidance Councillors (I.C.G.) at www.amberflag.org. Besides training, here in Seward House the students participate in extracurricular actives to help earn the Amber Flag. A number of goals must be achieved to get the Amber Flag which is valid for one year. After that the students attending Seward House can take on the roles for the coming year:
- A committee consisting of students and staff work together and appointed an Amber Flag Coordinator - Sean Higgins, a former student of Seward House who volunteers time to help with the project.
- Currently the students at Seward House have put together this website to create more awareness of the Amber Flag Initiative.
- Discussions were held with the management to identify what is possible and how staff and instructors can help out with the objectives. Healthy Life skills training has been incorporated into all programmes as a result of this.
- Since early 2016 the students have also maintained a monthly news letter. Each month new ideas are used and different students contribute to the paper.
- Just before Christmas 2016 Seward House put a new notice board for Amber Flag news. In the next months the people at Seward House aim to organise a Positive Mental Health Day and besides the general public guest speakers will be invited. Refreshments will be provided and there will also be some fun activities!
- In March 2017 students from Seward House have contributed support to the #Ratify C.R.P.D. campaign by signing petitions, writing letters to Minister of Disabilities Mr Finian McGrath and local TDs. Photos of students supporting the #Ratify C.R.P.D. Campaign were sent to Rehab to be presented to Government.
