I am Me

64 The Exonian 2021

ith the long-term

Wimpact of the pandemic in mind – not to mention all of the usual stresses on our young people – Mrs Culley has created a group which focuses on mental health and wellbeing across the school. This concept stems from the engaging ‘IAmMe’ app which, as the name implies, aims to strengthen the personal identity and wellbeing of young people.

Personally, I was initially drawn to the group because of my personal experience with managing mental health. I believe, particularly after a period of anxiety-inducing and sociallysecluding lockdown, that an app like this could help me and many others feel less isolated and more in control.

Every other week, in our separate year groups, the ‘IAmMe’ group meets to suggest how the app can be made useful, topics like self-expression, coping mechanisms for anxiety and even mood-boosting recipes!

The leader of the group, Mrs Culley, has given her perspective on why the ‘IAmMe’ concept is important to her: What aspects of the ‘IAmMe’ app drew you to it at first? Mental health is a prevalent, national issue. Looking at what could be done to provide more support for our pupils is particularly useful during holiday periods. As most pupils are smart phone or tablet users the app is easily downloadable, and it provides current practical and positive advice. I felt that pupils could choose topics in the app that were relevant to them or their friends and it is a wellbeing resource that they would have access to whenever needed.

What is your association with the app designers? I contacted the designer, Claire, as I was interested in finding out more about the app and its development. I also wanted to ensure it was safe to recommend. We met and chatted about how passionate she is about helping young people. She designed the app as she felt there was a real shift in the way young people view themselves, in terms of their self-belief, confidence and ability to cope when things do not go according to plan. Claire felt that as mental health is a national issue and given how much young people use their phones and social media, she wanted to provide a source of advice that could be easily accessed 24/7. The app also provides a comprehensive list of various support networks. The designer is also very keen for pupils to be involved in the further development of the app, writing articles, or/and providing critical feedback. I thought this would give pupils an opportunity to get actively involved in something which they could tailor to the requirements of their age group.

With the impact of the pandemic affecting many of our community, strengthening our personal identity and focusing on wellbeing is of the highest priority

by CIARA MORRIS

Why do you believe mental health is such a relevant and important topic for pupils of Exeter School to be aware of? Mental health is currently a national concern for young people. I believe that good mental health is key for all aspects of life. It enables pupils to learn more easily and also to have the resilience and skills to cope when times may be tough... I think celebrating individuality, developing wellbeing and providing a good support network for all pupils is key to this. I feel that as a school community we are uniquely placed to facilitate the development of good mental health be it through supportive friendships, sport, drama, music and life both in and out of the classroom.

What do you hope to achieve through establishing the ‘IAmMe’ groups across the school year groups? How do you hope to integrate the app into school life? The IAmMe app is a platform for discussion. I have been really pleased with the feedback and participation in the discussion groups about the app and other issues. It provides pupils with an opportunity to discuss issues directly relevant to them in smaller groups. It is important for them to know that as a school we celebrate the individual and it is important that every voice be heard. It also gives pupils the opportunity to feedback on our school pastoral programme. I am keen that the Lower Sixth will train to get involved with younger years, thereby providing a peer support group throughout the school. The app developer is also keen to encourage any pupil that might like to get involved in suggesting ideas for the app and writing articles. Overall there are lots of opportunities for the app.

Two people who have particularly enjoyed the opportunities of the IamMe group are Phoebe and Jasmine from the Lower Fifth Form:

What is your favourite aspect of the ‘IAmMe’ app and why? I like how there are different links you can click on and discover about different health issues so you can help others and understand the topic better. I also love the different vibrant colours that they use to present their pages. (Jasmine)

In your opinion, how has the ‘IAmMe’ group improved the conversation about mental health at Exeter School? How has it helped you? I think the ‘IamMe’ group has really helped me feel comfortable talking about my mental health. School can be stressful and having a small group of peers that we can talk to and share our feelings and experiences with helps us to understand how we’re feeling and gives us ideas of how to cope. (Phoebe)