Voices Unlocked​

Our goal is to break the stigma around men’s mental health by creating lasting spaces, events, and peer-led initiatives where students feel supported, connected, and comfortable talking about their well-being.

Our Social Issue

Men’s mental health is often overlooked, with stigma preventing many from seeking support. Young men are expected to hide their emotions, leading to stress, isolation, and anxiety. Our project challenges this by creating spaces and opportunities for open conversations and peer support.

Why We Chose It

We chose men’s mental health because it is often overlooked, and stigma prevents many young men from seeking support. Too often, boys are taught to bottle up emotions instead of talking about them, leading to stress, isolation, and anxiety. Our school survey showed that many students struggle with low motivation and disengagement and are unsure where to find support. We wanted to change this culture, making mental health a normal conversation rather than something to hide. By creating social spaces, events, and peer-led initiatives, we’re ensuring that no student feels alone and that mental health support is visible and accessible.

Our Goal

Voices Unlocked is about action, not just awareness. Our goal is to get people involved, encourage real conversations, and create lasting spaces where students feel supported. What makes our project unique is that we’re embedding mental health into school life, not just discussing it. Through a dedicated green space, a social club, sports tournaments, and creative events, we ensure that support happens naturally and meaningfully. By breaking stigma and building a supportive community, we are creating something that will last beyond this year, giving students a place to turn now and in the future.

Our Innovative Action

We have taken real action to embed mental health into everyday school life. We created a Social Club, giving students a space to connect through cooking, games, and conversations. We organised sports tournaments, bonding trips, and lunchtime events to encourage teamwork and peer support. We successfully ran an Ice Bucket Challenge, raising €250 for the Killorglin Family Resource Centre. We also launched a Healthy Eating Programme to promote well-being through food. Our Green Space & Sensory Garden is underway, providing a permanent outdoor space for reflection and relaxation. This project is about lasting change, not just awareness.

Our Impact

Voices Unlocked has already made a real impact by changing how students engage with mental health. Conversations that were once avoided now happen naturally through social spaces, sports, and events. The Social Club has helped students feel included and supported, especially those who previously felt isolated. Teachers have noticed a positive shift in students’ confidence and engagement. Our tournaments and events have given students a fun, low-pressure way to connect, and the Ice Bucket Challenge raised €250 for youth mental health services. We’re creating a lasting culture of openness, support, and action in our school.