A new project has been providing schoolchildren in Derry with the tools to support their mental health as Northern Ireland comes to terms with life during the pandemic.
Fiona Condren, Founder of Emotions Matters has spent the last number of weeks in the College teaching Year 8 pupils how to manage their emotions in healthy ways.
The emotions coach told MyDerry that she was delighted that schools are beginning to recognise the importance of teaching this valuable information to their pupils.
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The Emotion Matters founder, who recently attended St Columb's College, states that as a society we prioritise IQ but little priority is given to EQ.
EQ is a skill, it is not something we are born with and it doesn’t come naturally therefore we need to provide this education and learning.
Fiona states people who are emotionally intelligent know how they are feeling, understand why they feel a certain way, recognise the impact it has on them and others and know what action they need to take to help themselves feel better.
The Derry woman states that it is so important that this vital information is taught in school because people who are unable to manage their emotions tend to reach for easy quick fixes to help themselves feel better in the form of alcohol and drugs.
"To say that I was proud was an understatement," Fiona said.
These boys started as empty vessels with no knowledge of EQ – Emotional Intelligence – managing their emotions in healthy ways and the learning they have acquired and retained has been amazing.
"These are the new generation of young men that I want to see coming forward who know the importance of accepting and expressing their emotions, not bottling them up and burying their head in sand."
Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Graham Warke, and tri-athlete and fundraiser Danny Quigley also attended the event.
Meanwhile. Fiona said the feedback had been overwhelming and she encourages all schools to prioritise this training because EQ also matters for learning.
She explains: "If pupils are in their emotional brain in school, they are not able to focus and concentrate, make good choices or decisions and see things from other people’s point of view which not only impacts negatively on their ability to reach their full potential academically but also impacts on their behaviour and relationships in school."
If you would like any more information on the training Fiona provides you can follow her on Emotions Matter on Facebook or contact her directly on 07715834567.
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