Expression Beats Depression

Creative, Trauma-Informed Programmes That Inspire Lasting Change in Schools & Youth Services

  • Group of students and a man in a classroom, posing for a photo in front of a 'Harmony Programme' banner at a secondary school.

    Welcome to The Harmony Workshops—Ireland’s only interactive mental health and substance misuse programme that fuses expert psychoeducation with music, creativity, and youth voice.

    Our workshops are designed by professionals and shaped with students, offering a bold and effective way to tackle the real issues teens face today—from anxiety to addiction, from identity to influence.

    If you’re a teacher, SPHE/PSHE coordinator, or youth organisation leader seeking a powerful, practical, and proven intervention, you’ve just found it.

  • Handwritten poem about Sally, who is crying in bed, in pain from fighting at home. She smokes weed to cope with her reality and tries to escape her screams and loss of touch with reality, feeling like she's writing in a trance and wanting to be free.

    Rap, Spoken Word & Creative Expression!

    Students are invited to channel their own experiences into writing an original rap or spoken word and and perform in class to hip-hop beats and a microphone!

    It’s not just about being heard—it’s about building emotional intelligence, identity, and confidence in a format that speaks their language.

  • Assorted round buttons with text promoting awareness about addiction and mental health issues. The buttons say 'Expression Beats Depression!' and list 'alcohol, drug, misuse'. They are packaged in clear plastic wrapping.

    Why Schools and Youth Services Choose Harmony

    Mental Health Meets Real Life

    We go deeper than awareness. Through evidence-based psychoeducation, we explore how mental health and substance misuse often overlap—especially in teens. Students gain a clear understanding of how cannabis and alcohol affect the brain, emotions, and behavior, empowering them with knowledge that sparks reflection, not fear.

  • Group of students in a classroom working together in small groups at tables.

    Fully Interactive & Youth-Led

    No lectures. Our workshops are high-energy, dialogue-driven experiences. We build connection through real talk, group activities, and co-creation—developing life skills like communication, decision-making, resilience, and leadership.

  • Two women with shoulder-length hair, one with dark hair and the other with reddish hair, sitting close together with their heads touching, in a modern indoor space with a hallway and glass windows in the background.

    Trauma-Informed & Relatable

    Our approach is deeply compassionate and inclusive. We work with students from all backgrounds, including early school leavers, DEIS schools, and alternative education settings. The focus is on safety, trust, and empowerment—always.

  • Group of teenage students in school uniforms posing in a classroom, some with arms around each other, one seated in a wheelchair holding a book, with bookshelves and a projector screen in the background.

    What Students Gain

    Tools to Manage Anxiety, Low Mood & Stress
    Real-world strategies to support emotional wellbeing in school and beyond.

    ✔️ Cannabis & Alcohol Awareness That Resonates
    Evidence-led education that speaks honestly—no scare tactics, just clarity and reflection.

    ✔️ Stronger Sense of Self & Belonging
    Creative exploration fosters self-worth, purpose, and positive peer connection.

    ✔️ Skills for the Future
    Resilience. Empathy. Boundaries. Self-regulation. Communication. It’s all here.

    ✔️ A More Connected School Community
    Our workshops foster a culture of openness, empathy, and support that extends far beyond the session.

  • A woman with long wavy brown hair wearing a navy blazer and tan shirt, smiling and standing in a brightly lit office space with tables, chairs, and bulletin boards in the background.

    Perfect For:

    SPHE / PSHE Curriculum Support

    Drug Awareness Week & Mental Health Week

    Youthreach, Community Training Centres, and Alternative Settings

    Junior Cycle & TY Enrichment

    Community & Youth Organisation Programmes

    Whether you're planning a one-off event or term-based series, The Harmony Workshops are tailored to suit your setting.

Got a question?

What Students Are Saying

  • “One of the most relevant and helpful workshops for TY students around mental health and substance misuse."

    The Irish Second – Level Students’ Union survey 2017

  • “My overall experience of The Harmony Workshops was brilliant. It changed my views on drugs and alcohol and what it can do to your life. It was life-changing."

    Niamh, Student, St. Declan’s College, Co. Waterford

  • "I thought it was a good experience because I know exactly what could happen and where the help is if I need it, or for a friend/loved one."

    Mary Ellen, Youthreach Progression, Navan, Co. Meath

  • "My overall experience of The Harmony Workshops was brilliant. It changed my views on drugs and alcohol and what it can do to your life. It was life changing."

    Niamh, student St. Declan’s College, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford

  • “I really enjoyed my time in The Harmony Workshops. It made me think more about how my choices [drugs/alcohol] will impact on me long term."

    Rhys, student St. Francis College, Rochestown, Cork City

  • “It was very helpful in getting me closer to my recovery."

    Seán-inpatient, Aislinn Residential Addiction Centre, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny