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Graduate Shines a Spotlight on Mental Health Te Pukenga
Graduate shines a spotlight on Mental Health
A talented Ara graduate and former par�cipant of the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) in Canterbury has achieved her dream of publishing a mental health diary.
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Samantha Fairhall CEO for The Hope for Happiness first came up with the concept for The Li�le Book of Smiles, along with her four classmates, in 2018 as a year-13 business student at Middleton Grange School.
The group were par�cipants in the Young Enterprise Scheme; a programme which provides support and mentoring for secondary school students to cra� an innova�ve idea, and then turn that into a real business.
"I wanted to create a resource that the youth of New Zealand could turn to when it was challenging. I have always had a passion for helping people and bringing out the best in them," Fairhall says.
"We all know how big an issue mental health is in New Zealand, so I have taken the opportunity to act and see where the need is."
Idoia Alday Gonzalez, YES Canterbury Regional Coordinator says, "The Li�le Book of Smiles is a prime example of what can be achieved when we expose our young people to entrepreneurship. Students like Samantha are the leaders of tomorrow, and it is impera�ve that they are empowered to be drivers of change at a young age."
The original Li�le Book of Smiles team: Luknam Worathongchai, Daniella Saeru Totoa, Samantha Fairhall, Hannah Trieu, Jemesa Landers
Graduate shines a spotlight on Mental Health
The interac�ve book features short stories, inspira�onal quotes, recipes, drawing pages and thought-provoking ques�ons - all designed to facilitate a conversa�on around mental health and provide a safe space for teenagers and young adults to record and process their own challenges.
Last year Fairhall faced her own setback when COVID-19 put a halt to her publishing plans. She chose to pivot her focus and explore interests she had in other areas, by studying a Cer�ficate in Sustainability and Outdoor Educa�on through Ara Ins�tute of Canterbury.
Now a�er four years of hard work, fundraising and development Fairhall is excited to say the book is available for purchase, and it turns out that it coincided with another big celebra�on. "I published The Li�le Book of Smiles on my 21st Birthday. I couldn’t have asked for be�er �ming!"
You can order The Li�le Book of Smiles for $25 by emailing the team at hopeforhappinesscampaign@gmail.com.
Ara is a regional partner, and sponsor of the Young Enterprise Scheme.
The programme aligns closely with Ara's approach of experien�al, real world learning, which helps to develop problem solving, leadership and communica�on skills.
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