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Walk in My Shoes

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Walk in My Shoes

Walk in My Shoes is the flagship awareness-raising and education campaign of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.

Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) works to promote positive mental health, to tackle mental health stigma and to change how people, particularly young people, think about mental health. We were first established in 2012 when a young man in St Patrick's University Hospital said he wished his friends could walk in his shoes to understand how he was feeling. Since then, thousands of students and teachers from

across Ireland have gotten involved, and have been at the forefront of starting a very important conversation about mental health. Throughout the year, we run or offer free resources for young people, teachers and parents; school achievement awards; short film competitions; Transition Year Programme work experience placements; a Day social media campaign, and a WIMS Live week-long programme of online activities. WIMS is a campaign of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, a registered charity (Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20000370). We have community guidelines in place for our social media spaces: https://www.walkinmyshoes.ie/about/community-engagement

20/08/2026

It's Leaving Certificate results day tomorrow. ⏰

Remember, the exams results are often built up to be the be all and end all, but the reality is that there are lots of different pathways in life. Whatever the outcome, congratulations on this fantastic achievement - these results do not define you, doing your best is what matters.

A Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist shares some tips for those that are getting their results.

Remember what you can offer: If your results were not as expected, remember that once your career begins it is your skills to communicate, negotiate, problem-solve and manage that are far more in demand.

Reassess your options: if you did not get the points that you need or anticipated – could repeating the Leaving Certificate or taking your second or third choice college place be a reasonable option?

Remember - it's ok to feel hurt - that is to be expected and disappointment is inevitable. However, don’t lose the perspective that you are not defined by a piece of paper outlining your academic achievements. Remember - you are far more complex than that.

Read more at the link in comments below.

18/08/2026

🧠 Boost your confidence, resilience and wellbeing 💬

Positive self‑talk plays a crucial role in shaping the way we feel and act. We believe that replacing negative internal dialogue with uplifting messages can have a positive impact on a person's mental health and motivation. These encouraging words can lift spirits, reinforce self‑belief, and build resilience.

Positive self-talk can:

✅ Boost levels of self-belief and self-esteem
✅ Increase levels of serotonin (our “happy hormone”), and decrease levels of cortisol (our “stress hormone”)
✅ Help us to manage challenges by shifting our focus from worries to solutions
✅ Increase emotional resilience- this is our ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to life changes
✅ Improve our physical health.

🔗 Visit the link in comments below to learn more!

14/08/2026

When you’re going through or recovering from a mental health difficulty, knowing you have a group of people to support you can be a huge boost and reassurance.

Family, friends and carers can be there to listen, to share, and to help you recognise when you might need some extra support. You might also find it helpful to talk with other people who have gone through mental health challenges, sharing your experiences and learning from one another. All these relationships and friendships can make a big difference not only in your recovery, but in managing your mental health long-term.

In this webinar, we hear personal experience of mental health and of how people going through built support systems to help them. We explore the roles of these support systems in recovery, how best to identify your own support needs, and how to communicate your support needs with those around you. The ways families can best support a loved one with a mental health difficulty and access support if needed are also discussed.

☑️ Head to the link in comments to learn more.

12/08/2026

Let’s take a closer look at depression. 👇

Understanding and talking about mental health difficulties such as depression helps to build awareness and understanding.

🔵 Symptoms of depression can include:

✔️ feeling sadness
✔️ feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
✔️ losing interest or pleasure in your normal activities and hobbies
✔️ having difficulty sleeping, such as finding it hard to fall asleep, not being able to stay asleep or waking early
✔️ lacking energy or feeling overly-tired
✔️ noticing changes in your appetite, such as losing interest or having cravings
✔️ losing or putting on weight
✔️ feeling physical pain, such as headaches or muscle aches.

Signs of depression can also be present with symptoms of other mental health difficulties, such as eating disorders or self-harm.

🔵Causes of depression
Depression is very common. In Ireland, more than one in ten people are affected by depression.

There are different factors which can cause depression, from our genetic make-up and our hormones to our backgrounds and lifestyles. Sometimes, big events or changes in our life circumstances can also trigger periods of depression: these include things such as:

✔️exams
✔️changes in school
✔️difficulties with family or friends
✔️relationship break-ups
✔️moving home.

🔵Supports and treatment

There are lots of supports to help us deal with depression and live a full life.

If you think you might be experiencing depression, a first step is to reach out to someone you trust - a parent, teacher, family member, guidance counsellor or friend - and let them know what’s going on for you.

It is important that you talk to your doctor. All of us can feel sad or low at different times in our lives, but, if this is something that goes on a long time for you or feels very intense, you may be living with depression. Getting the right assessment and diagnosis for depression helps to know what the best way forward for you will be.

Your doctor might recommend that you receive treatment for depression; this could be through a community service or by coming into hospital, like the Willow Grove Adolescent Unit at St. Patrick's Mental Health Services .

Types of treatment for depression can include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), compassion-focused therapy(CFT), mindfulness and more.

You might also be recommended to take a course of medication, such as anti-depressants, to help with your recovery.

Self-care practices may help you to manage some symptoms of depression or to recognise and respond to situations which might trigger your symptoms. These practices can include:

✔️ exercising and staying active
✔️ eating a healthy, balanced diet
✔️ trying meditation and relaxation techniques.

Visit the link in comments below for more.

10/08/2026

💡 We've lots of resources for teenagers and young people to help promote positive mental health in their lives.

Our resources include:

☑️ Mindful relaxation practices
☑️ Guided mindfulness exercises
☑️ Wellness activities including mindful colouring, a gratitude journal and a summer activities list
☑️ Personalised bookmarks

Visit the link in comments below to learn more.

08/08/2026

Psychosis is a condition where a person may have difficulty recognising what is real and what is not. Schizophrenia is when you have these symptoms for at least six months.

Psychosis can happen at any stage in your life, but most people develop psychosis as a teenager or young adult. It is important to know that there are effective treatments for psychosis. Starting treatment as early as possible greatly improves the road to recovery.

❓ What are the symptoms of psychosis?

☑️Hallucinations
☑️Delusions (unusual beliefs)
☑️Thought disorder
☑️Cognitive difficulties
☑️ Changed behaviour
☑️Negative symptoms

🗯️ What treatments are available for schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia and similar mental health difficulties can be successfully managed. Different treatment settings (inpatient at hospital, day programme, outpatient, private/public psychological therapies, support groups) and treatment plans may be effective for different people depending on the type of mental health difficulty and how bad the symptoms are. Other factors to consider are the person's age, if there are other health issues and if there are support networks available to the individual.

Read more about schizophrenia and psychosis by visiting the link in comments below.

07/08/2026

Learn more about mental health through conversations and events.

Looking to learn more about mental health in an open, supportive way? Our YouTube playlist is packed with inspiring talks, insightful panel discussions, and community events - all focused on promoting mental health awareness and wellbeing.

From expert advice to lived experience stories, these videos offer practical tools, helpful perspectives, and a reminder that no one is alone on their mental health journey.

Topics discussed include:
📣 Climate change and mental health
📣Student self-harm: what are the signs and what to do
📣Compassion for Teachers wellbeing session
📣Supporting someone with a mental health difficulty
📣Mental health support systems
📣The benefits of journaling
📣Meet the Author: Louise O’Neill
📣Nurturing ourselves with self-care

Visit the link in comments to watch the full playlist.

06/08/2026

Do you, or someone you care about, need a little extra support, whether that’s with our mental health or with concerns and practicalities around a particular situation?

Find links to a variety of supports and services that might be of help by visiting the link in comments below.

30/07/2026

Today, we celebrate the bonds of friendship that make our classrooms kinder, more inclusive places to learn and grow.

Our School Portal showcases some incredible school and classroom projects that highlight the importance of friendship:

🍎 Scoil Treasa Naofa in Dublin 8 celebrated Friendship February Week with a jam-packed week of activities, while also raising money for Special Olympics along the way!

🍎 Curragh Community College in County Kildare created a Friendship Collage filled with "friendship flowers" made using characteristics of a good friend.

🍎 St Vincent's National School in Dublin built a Friendship Quilt to celebrate Friendly February. Every child in the school contributed to their beautiful display!

We have lots of project examples and ideas on our School Portal - and it’s free for teachers and schools to join!

👉 Join us to spark new ideas, create inspiring projects, and raise awareness about mental health for children and young people.

All the resources on the Portal are available to download and share, and can be filtered by class type and mental health topic.

📲 Visit the link in the comments to register for free!

29/07/2026

How can you help children and young people understand grief?

☑️Grief affects everyone differently - including children and teenagers.

☑️ Adults often understand that death is final and that grief is part of life, but for children and adolescents, it can be confusing and deeply personal. How they process loss depends on their age and stage of development.

☑️Younger children might not grasp that death is permanent. They notice changes - the absence of a loved one, the shift in routine - and this can cause distress. Older children and teens, who understand death’s finality, may feel anger, shock or sadness, or withdraw from friends and activities.

☑️It’s important to make space for children and young people to express how they feel and to know it’s okay to talk, ask questions and remember the person they’ve lost.

☑️Remember - grief has no timeline. Children may revisit their feelings at different stages as they grow. Keeping communication open, maintaining familiar routines, and revisiting memories together can help them feel supported.

☑️If a young person’s grief begins to affect their mood or daily life, it may help to seek extra support from your GP or a mental health professional.

☑️Every person’s journey through grief is unique. What matters most is giving space for the memory of the person who has died - and room for healing, in their own time.

This guidance is shared by Vicki Walsh, Clinical Nurse Manager 2 with the Willow Grove Adolescent Unit at St. Patrick's Mental Health Services .

Address

St Patrick's Mental Health Services, James' Street
Dublin

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+35312493555

Website

http://www.walkinmyshoes.ie/

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