AN organisation which helps people struggling with addiction and mental health issues is to deliver virtual sessions for students.

Before the pandemic Mark Murray and Liam McBride, who formed Whysup three years ago, would often deliver talks in schools to raise awareness of mental health issues.

But with new restrictions now in force they are set to deliver these talks virtually for struggling students.

Mark said: “Looking after students and their mental health is now more important than ever. We’re getting more and more parents reaching out to us for help with their children at the moment.

“For just over three years, we have been up and down the country delivering face to face sessions on mental health and wellbeing.

“It’s something Whysup is passionate about. We know first-hand the importance of looking after your mental health and how that can pull you through difficult times.

“Due to the pandemic our usual face to face sessions can’t go ahead but we are still delivering online mental health sessions to schools, at a reduced rate.

“We realise teachers are under huge pressure and always having to adapt and change the way they deliver the curriculum due to the pandemic. We believe our sessions can provide support to the curriculum and give the very much needed support to the students.

Andrea O’Callaghan, head of Thornleigh Salesian College, added: “Providing a toolkit for difficulties students may face has never been more important and the work that Whysup is doing provides a real mechanism for schools to do this. I cannot recommend them enough.”

Mark and Liam started Whysup after they both experienced battles with addiction and mental health. Since then they have made it their mission through Whysup to support people going through the same hardship.They have also recently formed a charity with a dedicated helpline.