A YOUNG people's mental health charity based in Reading will extend its delivery of workshops in schools thanks to People's Postcode Lottery players.

No5, on Oxford Road, believe prevention is better than cure and visit secondary schools to provide workshops to pupils to teach them how to achieve good mental health.

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They are delivered by mental health professionals alongside one of No5’s Young Ambassadors who share their own mental health journey and counselling at No5.

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Alyson Brickley, director, No 5 Young People said: “We are delighted that we can continue to provide free workshops in local secondary schools and not only that but we can now deliver more in the 2019 academic year.

"This has been made possible by an award from Postcode Community Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

"Experience tells us that workshops for young people in schools not only provides an opportunity to reach out to No5 for counselling but they pick up skills that they can come back to support their mental health education for life.”

No5’s outreach team work with young people in the workshops to provide an exchange of ideas and provide a safe place to discuss mental health.

No5 believe it’s not something to be hidden away and demystify the perception that it is uncommon that everyone has a mental health.

They explained minds need looking after as much as our bodies and the young people leave the workshops with resources on how to keep their mind healthy too.

Talking about the mental health workshops delivered in Highdown School, Mrs Tess Taylor, Head of Achievement for Year 9 shared feedback from students and parents.

She said: "Students were on the whole positive about the workshops with students saying they were informative, helpful and thought-provoking.

"A couple of parents said that they were pleased that the workshops were being provided and were most appreciative.

"Students also liked that it was delivered by an outside agency."

No5 deliver six mental health workshops to students in secondary schools in the Reading area on the following themes:

1. My Story - lived experience of mental health difficulty.

2. Social Media - staying safe online.

3. Body Image and Self-Esteem.

4. Stigma and Loneliness.

5. Gender Perceptions and their effect on mental health.

6. Consent and Healthy Relationships.