Offaly students celebrated as advocates for mental health after completing programme
Local students from Offaly graduated from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ Transition Year (TY) Programme as mental health ambassadors at a recent ceremony, which celebrated over 100 students who completed the 2025/2026 programme
Local students from Offaly graduated from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ Transition Year (TY) Programme as mental health ambassadors at a recent ceremony, which celebrated over 100 students who completed the 2025/2026 programme.
The Transition Year Programme from St Patrick’s Mental Health Services is coordinated by its Walk in My Shoes campaign, a national initiative focused on promoting positive mental health among young people.
Delivered across five programmes each academic year, with 20 to 25 students participating in each programme, the four-day initiative supports students to build their understanding of mental health; develop practical mental health promotion skills; and explore how they can contribute to creating more open and supportive school and community environments. Through interactive workshops, discussion and reflective learning, participants are encouraged to think critically about mental health stigma, help-seeking, resilience and the importance of compassionate conversations around mental health.
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The programme combines educational sessions with direct engagement with mental health professionals, service users and organisational leaders. Students gain insight into the operation of a mental health service; hear lived experiences of recovery; and take part in a range of activities including observing a mock multidisciplinary team meeting involving psychiatrists, psychologists, occupational therapists, nurses, pharmacists and social workers.
During the programme, participants also engage with the CEO, Medical Director, clinicians and staff working in advocacy and communications. Alongside this, students attend workshops designed to strengthen confidence, communication and peer support skills, and to support students in gaining a greater understanding of the diverse roles involved in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, TY Programme participant, Niall Fitzgerald from Offaly, said: “I believe there is a massive stigma associated with mental health in Ireland but with courses like Walk in My Shoes, and its Transition Year Programme, younger generations are being educated on mental health and increasing our understanding of mental health difficulties. This helps to break the stigma and fosters a supportive environment to encourage young people to reach out for mental health support if needed.”
Students from Offaly who graduated from the 2025/2026 programme are Niall Fitzgerald from Coláiste Naomh Cormac, Kilcormac and Juliet O’Brien from St Brendan’s Community School, Birr.
Speaking about this year’s TY Programme graduates, Rebecca Gaynor, a lead on the TY Programme, said: “Congratulations to each and every student who has graduated from our 2025/2026 Transition Year Programme and are returning to their schools and communities as ambassadors for mental health.
The Transition Year programme gives students a fantastic opportunity to learn from frontline staff about what it’s like to work in mental healthcare, while also giving them insight into the experiences of those with mental health difficulties. Each programme aims to empower students with the tools to promote positive mental health and wellbeing among their peers and community. It is a privilege to see the energy and enthusiasm that students bring to learning about mental health.”
The 2025/2026 academic year marks 15 years since St Patrick’s Mental Health Services began running its Transition Year Programme, with approximately 1,500 students having completed the programme since it began in 2011. Over the coming years, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services will seek to further develop and expand the programme through the development of a large-scale mental health promotion project that is currently being progressed. The programme, which is being co-created with students, including current and former TY Programme participants, will focus on empowering young people and equipping them with practical tools to support their mental health and wellbeing throughout their lives.
The 2026/2027 TY programme is now open for applications. For more information visit walkinmyshoes.ie.