Bouncing Away is a new children’s mental health book exploring the ups and downs of life and how to deal with them from the child’s perspective. The book, produced in partnership with the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and the Psychology Service (PCCC) in Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan, will be launched in Sligo this October.

Led by artist Vanya Lambrecht Ward and writer Lisa Vandegrift Davala, the Bouncing Away book project engaged children aged 8-12 from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Sligo, and the Psychology Service, Markievicz House, Sligo, from October to December 2014. The artists also worked with school children at St. Edward’s National School over the same time period.

The children explore their feelings and emotions, what makes them feel happy and secure, things that are precious to them and their coping strategies during tough times.

Bouncing Away aims to address the gap in provision of self-created child/ youth publications about mental health; to promote and celebrate children’s wellbeing and build mental health awareness at local and national level; and to increase the visibility of children’s art work and writing through a publication that gives voice to the interests, challenges and needs of children living in Ireland.

The Bouncing Away book project is funded through the Mental Health Services, HSE Northwest. The book is now available to buy from our online book shop.