YOUNG people in Kilmacolm got the chance to develop their sporting skills while learning more about mental health in an innovative project. 

The team at St Columba's hosted #TalkaGoodGame to equip pupils with vital skills needed to cope with challenging situations. 

The project used rugby and hockey to hook S3 pupils into workshop activities which delivered important messages aimed at preventing suicide. 

Male pupils enjoyed rugby sessions and female pupils got the chance to take part in a hockey tournament. 

(Image: George Munro) The project was spearheaded by St Columba's teacher and coach Jamie Houston. 

Jamie said his experience as a teacher over almost 20 years has made him determined to get the important messages out to as many local young people as possible. 

He said: "The statistics for suicide in this part of the world are horrendous. 

"This is my 19th year as a teacher, and my third year at St Columba's. 

"In that time, 10 young people have completed suicide. 

"This event is about giving young people strong messages that will resonate with them, and giving them the tools they need to deal with challenging situations that they face throughout their lives."

Groups of pupils alternated between sporting sessions and workshops in classrooms led by a range of speakers. 

(Image: George Munro) The speakers included Guinness World Record-holding cyclist Josh Quigley who spoke about resilience, and Lesley Eadie from Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) who led a discussion on gender-based violence. 

Kerry Smith from online community Kooth spoke about the importance of sleep and how it affects mental health, and young people also heard from Man On Inverclyde and Police Scotland representatives. 

Jamie said he was proud to have assembled such a fantastic range of speakers who would present messages that would resonate with the young people. 

He added: "S3 is a good stage as pupils will be receptive to the messages. 

"We've brought in a really high quality of speakers as it lifts it to another level. 

"We want as many S3 pupils to hear and see these messages as possible."

(Image: Kayleigh Ingham) The activities were supported by Scottish Rugby and Scottish Hockey, Filshill, Conatum Coffee, Qw, Fergusons and Lamond bakeries, and Keystore. 

Jamie said #TalkaGoodGame is part of a wider school plan to support mental health which will involve mental health First Aid training. 

He is trained in mental health First Aid, as is marketing officer Kayleigh Ingham. 

Jamie added: "A great number of our S6 pupils are mental health First Aid trained. 

"We want to do even more to support pupils and colleagues going forward."