Speakers
Alison O'Dwyer
Parallel Workshops
Despite a large body of research examining the impact of peer led mental health programmes in educational settings, little research has examined this impact in a prison setting. Following the roll of out of peer led mental health workshops in the Irish Prison Service (through the Red Cross Community Health and First Aid Programme), we qualitatively examined the impact of the programme. Our findings highlight the power of peer led initiatives in raising awareness and educating others on mental health. Significant meaning making was reported throughout the experience of the workshop facilitators and workshop attendees. The programme resulted in individuals finding meaning, developing skills, and forming connections within the prison while fostering a shared curiosity and understanding about the impacts and management of mental health.
