The Richmond Foundation’s new ‘Reaching the Kids’ programme is being sponsored by HSBC Cares For Children Fund. This new programme, which is aimed at the mental health of children, is being implemented in local schools in collaboration with the Education Division.

Reaching the Kids has been developed by the Richmond Foundation on the basis of the conclusions of the World Health Organisation European Ministerial Conference on mental health, held in February 2005, which identified actions which promote mental well being for everyone. The new programme aims to foster skills, provide information and focus on resilience, emotional intelligence and psychosocial functioning in children and young people.

Reaching the Kids provides educational and audio-visual resources to more than 190 classes in 62 different schools in Malta and Gozo. This programme adds interactivity and fun to the learning process. It is believed that the programme will also have a domino effect on parents who will be affected through their children’s recounting of their school day.

“The aim of this initiative is to make our young citizens more conscious of their mental health. Young individuals should become more resilient in order to cope with present and future stress. Our efforts also go towards fighting stigma and discrimination on grounds of mental ill health. We are very grateful to the HSBC Cares For Children Fund for relieving some of the financial burden of such programmes,” said Ms Doris Gauci, Chief Executive Officer at Richmond Foundation.

“This sponsorship to the Richmond Foundation reaffirms our commitment to an inclusive society which believes that children should live in a safe and healthy environment. Our young citizens should have the opportunity to develop their potential at whichever school they attend,” said Mrs Catherine Gonzi, HSBC Cares For Children Fund Chairperson.