ONESIES, tiger suits and all manner of weird and wonderful costumes were in evidence as pupils at Peebles High School supported mental health awareness.

Many at the school relished the opportunity to dress as something or someone that has made or makes them feel happy.

The event, which was organised by seventeen-year-old Allie Mackinnon and the Mental health awareness group at Peebles High to mark World Mental Health Day, raised over £650.

Allie said: “We just felt it is important to make more people aware of the problems people can face when they become mentally ill. We hoped to get the message across not just to the pupils and teachers at the school but also other people in the community.

“We also thought it would be a great idea to let people wear what they liked to make them feel good about themselves.” Having faced such struggles herself, Allie is convinced that greater understanding from the teachers could help young people with mental health issues get the aid they need.

“I didn’t want to get up and go to school at all,” she said. “I wanted to stay at home because I felt it was safer, but then I realised that I didn’t feel safe anywhere.

“Teachers should really have some sort of idea about what to do when a student needs that kind of support.” Chris O’Sullivan, policy development manager at the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Roughly one in 10 young people will have a mental health problem, so that could be three in a class.

“And there is evidence that suggests not everybody who experiences distress, for which they can get treatment, actually gets that help.

“We really hope to see an environment where young people, who need help, could come forward and get that support as quickly as possible.” Allie is encouraging teenagers experiencing issues to stay strong and believe that things can improve.

“It’s not just as simple as saying it’s going to get better,” she said. “There will be a really long struggle. Three steps forward, two steps back.

“But then eventually, you’ll get three steps forward and stay three steps forward until you finally get to the point where you know you’re going to be okay.” A team of sixth year pupils laid on drama and stalls and held an interactive assembly for the youngsters from S1.

Helper Madeleine Devlin, 17, said: “This event was done for the S1s - to educate them about mental health - but we hope that everyone at the school is going to learn something from this.” Italian exchange student Luca Nocita, 17, went out and bought a onesie specially for the occasion. “I wanted to give my support to this event - and it’s great fun as well!” he said. “I hope this well help everyone to understand the problems that some people face.”