MENTAL WELLBEING INITIATIVE FOR SCHOOLS
Access all printable packs, templates, and teaching resources here:
Elephant in the Room, in partnership with the newly established Irish charity, the Kyne Foundation, has announced the launch of the Schools Mental Wellbeing Initiative. This groundbreaking initiative will involve an elephant sculpture that will be permanently placed in secondary schools as a conversation-starting symbol, paired with educational resources for participating schools across Ireland. As part of the overall wellbeing efforts of each school, the aim is to equip students and teachers with tools to promote positive mental wellbeing and foster community engagement.
The initiative introduces a comprehensive mental wellbeing pack, available both online and via social media channels to participating schools. This resource serves as a guide for schools to incorporate wellbeing themes into their curriculum and creative projects, while also allowing flexibility for each school to adapt the resources to meet their specific needs.
Schools Nationwide
Following consultations with school principals, a number of schools nationwide have already been chosen to receive funding for the installation and participate in this initiative on a pilot basis. These schools and students will also fundraise to support the development of the elephant sculpture and related resources, actively contributing to the effort locally and extending the impact. Each participating school will receive an elephant sculpture along with supporting materials designed to engage students through art, highlight mental well-being supports, and provide signposting to external services where needed.
WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE MENTAL WELLBEING.
We have recently launched the Elephant in the Room Schools Programme, and with the generous support of our partners; Kyne Foundation, Cornmarket and An Elephant for Sarah, along with our own funding, we are now donating a herd of 30 elephant sculptures, free-of-charge, to schools across Ireland.
HELP US BREAK DOWN STIGMAS AND BIASES, SOFTEN LIFE'S HARDEST MOMENTS, TAKE AWAY THE POWER OF SECRETS AND START IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS THAT CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO THE LIVES OF STUDENTS.
Our ambition is to donate an elephant sculpture into every school in Ireland that requests one. We already have a long waiting list of schools looking to join the programme, so we're asking all of our corporate partners to help us grow the schools herd to 100 ellies, or more, in the next 12 months. Our vision is to bring our message of hope and permission, in the form of an elephant sculpture backed up by the teaching resources and other supports of this programme, to every school that asks for one over the next few years.
To find our more, or to donate a sculpture to a local school of your choice, email ellie@elephantintheroom.ie
What do you receive when you join the movement?
A baby elephant sculpture which is 4 foot tall x 4 foot in length, a wooden mounting plinth and a bespoke plaque recognising your sponsorship of their sculpture.
Schools Information, Art Competition, Teaching Resource Packs and Project Roadmap, detailing how to run the project from art competition to launch event as a whole school initiative, and integrate it into SPHE, CSPE, Art and/or Wellbeing classes.
A dedicated secondary teacher and wellbeing coordinator to advise and support them throughout the Elephant in the Room journey.
"Everyone has an 'elephant in the room,' and this initiative is about starting conversations early before they develop into larger issues impacting students' wellbeing. It’s also about encouraging kindness—we never know what someone else might be going through in their day or life. Many young people only seek mental health support at a crisis stage, so early intervention in schools is vital. We need to normalise discussions around mental health and make it a daily priority, just like physical health. This initiative aims to give young people better tools to navigate life’s challenges, particularly within the school environment, while fostering a culture of inclusion and care."
Brent Pope,
Elephant in the Room
"The elephant has a way of bypassing stigma and allowing students to engage with mental health topics in a non-threatening, creative way. Whether through guided discussions with teachers, reflection prompts, or peer conversations, the elephant can make talking about mental health more natural.
Ellie is a visually striking piece in the heart of our school "Croí na Scoile" and has been a great conversation starter among students as they are encouraged to talk about their feelings and to support one another. I have seen positive steps in how students approach discussions around mental wellbeing, and the elephant in the room initiative has been a wonderful addition to our school community.” - Susan Andrews, Vice Principal and Wellbeing Coordinator at Temple Carrig School, Co. Wicklow
“Fostering mental wellbeing awareness in schools creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond the classroom. It is essential for building a more connected and empathetic society. By providing Elephant In The Room with resources for this initiative, we aim to empower students and teachers to support each other and engage in meaningful conversations that inspire a culture of compassion and understanding, leading to a lasting impact."— Jacqueline Kyne, Founder of the Kyne Foundation
"The Elephant is out of the room… and into our schools."
Brent Pope joined Ireland AM to speak about vulnerability, recovery, and how our school programme is creating a tangible symbol of hope across Ireland. From mental health in schools to the pressure of social media, this 10-minute conversation is one of the most honest and impactful yet.
From Concept to Creation – The TU Dublin Dazzle Ellie
This striking Ellie began as a bold idea inspired by dazzle camouflage — a World War I technique that used bold, geometric patterns to disrupt perception rather than conceal. Originally designed by artist Norman Wilkinson and influenced by Cubism and Futurism, dazzle ships challenged observers to see differently. In the same way, Ellie draws a parallel with mental health, where struggles often go unnoticed or are misunderstood. The fragmented, high-contrast design mirrors the complexity and disorientation of mental health challenges, demanding attention and sparking conversation. Designed in collaboration with TU Dublin, brought to life by artist Marie Sudway, and proudly sponsored by Cornmarket, this elephant is more than a sculpture — it’s a call to look closer, listen deeper, and engage with what’s often left unsaid.