'Think Big doesn't just encourage young people to be a voice in their community, but it allows us to show everybody just what we can do. And we know how creative and passionate young people can be!'

- Emma Farrell, YAP Ambassador

Think Big is an innovative social action programme for young people allowing them to make very real and significant contributions to their communities. Launched in September 2010 and developed in partnership with o2, Think Big focuses on the issues that young people have consistently named as their biggest concerns - mental health and the factors that impact on it. 

This exciting project is creating a movement to encourage young people to articulate the change they would like to see happen and to be part of that change. Small local initiatives that may have gone unnoticed and uncelebrated will be given the means to come together and become louder, bolder and more powerful in bringing about that change.

The project is designed to offer a myriad of supports to help young people identify a problem, find a solution and make it happen under the theme of changing how Ireland thinks about young people’s mental health.

Examples of work that young people are already doing include setting up a blog called 'Unwind Your Mind,' suggesting small simple steps to mind your mental health, mental health promotion days in their schools/colleges, creating podcasts and writing songs on themes that impact on their mental health.

The project also widens opportunities for young people to engage in Headstrong’s work.  Young people can join the Think Big online community and develop or support others to develop project ideas.  They can also keep up to date with the work of Headstrong and take part in online or offline events to develop their skills and confidence in taking on a project of their own.

The supports include a start-up grant, training and a member of the o2 team that acts as a mentor for the project from start to completion.

Be a Part of the Think Big Movement

If you are between the ages of 14 and 25, getting involved is easy.  Log on to www.o2thinkbig.ie and join in our wall.  Since Think Big’s launch in September 2010, over 100 projects have been approved with over 500 young people getting involved. To get you thinking you can see some of the projects that other people have done and when you’re ready, submit your own idea by answering 6 easy questions on-line.

There’s no closing date, but we meet on the 1^st Thursday of every month to review all the applications and select the projects that match our criteria. Unsuccessful applications will be given feedback and can be resubmitted.

 The criteria is straightforward:

• The project must be led by a young person between the ages of 14-25
• It must promote positive mental health for young people aged 14-25 or change how their community thinks about young people and their mental health
• It must impact on more than just one young person

Selected projects will be offered the following resources to help them plan their project and see it through to the end:

1. training
2. mentoring
3. an initial grant of up to €300
4. a mobile phone with credit

Got an idea ... a Big idea? Don't wait ...contact Nuala today on nuala@headstrong.ie