To mark World Mental Health Day, students at St Ninian’s High School gave their listening ears to peers.

Cake and cuppas made their way around the school hall as part of ’Tea and Talk’ with pupils feeling encouraged to chat to fellow students, teachers and Adam Hudgeon of Manx mental health charity REACH IOM.

Donations made on the day, October 10, were given to the charity. The school choir gave a performance and posters could be seen covering issues such as body image.

Last week, year groups had assemblies with guest speakers providing advice on the topic. Their tutors also provided information on different types of mental illness.

’We were taught in tutorial what to do if you think someone’s struggling and if you know where to go,’ said David Cowin, 15.

’We had a speaker come in to talk about his mental health and experiences and what has happened after.’

David listed ’more sleep, eat well, drink well and surround yourself with people’ as factors to help whenever you’re feeling low.

Ntshila Lubilanji, 15, said: ’In year 10 we were talking about the stigma around mental health and how to talk to friends, teachers or parents.’

’We found out that one in four students at school will have symptoms of mental illness. No one really talks about it. Events like this really help.’

Heather Bone, 16, said: ’I’m resitting year 11 because of my mental health reasons,’ she said. ’There were some aspects of school that really helped, but on exams days I would be freaking out. I had a phobia of school and people.’

She received support from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and uses breathing and distraction techniques such as listening to music through headphones.

She said: ’Some people think everybody’s mental health is the same when it really isn’t. People cope with things differently and won’t react the same. It’s so common and more people should listen on how to help other people.’

Hannah Kermode, 14, said: ’I know that at home I can talk to anyone and in school they make it pretty clear that if you’re unhappy about anything, you can speak to staff members.

’It’s important everyone understands the severity and that mental health can affect so many people. The more you understand it, the more you can help people.’

Emily Brennan, 14, said she learned that ’breathing techniques, always looking around at your surroundings and try to calm yourself down’ are ways to cope when feeling low.

Harry Crompton, 17, said: ’It’s a big issue that’s not addressed especially by boys my age.

’I left sixth form because there was too much pressure and it wasn’t good for my mental health. I’ve started year 12 again. I spoke to my teachers who referred me to the listening service in school. it was very helpful.

’Once you speak about it, it’s a lot better. It’s about getting to that point.’

Sadie Gilbert, 17, said: ’Some people who suffer with mental health feel like they might not be able to talk about it. They might see it as a weakness when in reality it’s just life. Everyone has highs and lows. It shouldn’t be seen as something to be ashamed about.’