International Mental Health Olympiad (IMHO)
Club Guide
If you’re seeking a leadership role within your community and are passionate about mental health research and academic competitions, establishing an IMHO club might be the perfect opportunity. Here’s a structured guide to help you start and manage a club dedicated to the International Mental Health Olympiad.
General Instructions
Starting an IMHO club involves several key steps:
Begin by checking your school's policies regarding new clubs. This typically requires completing specific forms and securing an adult sponsor, such as a teacher. If you're uncertain about the process, consult with a teacher or the principal for guidance. A template for contacting potential sponsors is available at the bottom of this page.
To spread the word about your new club, consider various advertising strategies like word-of-mouth, school newsletters, and flyers. Ensure your promotional efforts comply with your school's policies on advertisements. A customizable flyer template for club promotion is provided below under Resources.
Decide on the logistics of your club meetings, including the location, timing, and frequency. Determine the focus of your club: will it primarily concentrate on IMHO preparation, or will you include other activities? Plan the content and structure of your meetings, whether they involve presentations, group discussions, or individual practice sessions.
By following these guidelines, you can establish a successful IMHO club that fosters interest in mental health research and prepares members for the challenges and opportunities of the International Mental Health Olympiad.
Resources
For participants and club organizers of the International Mental Health Olympiad, a variety of resources are available to support preparation and promotion:
- The Book: This competition has a lot of overlap with the content covered in the DSM-5, so reviewing it can be a great way of preparing for the competition.
- Practice Questions: Refer to the practice questions to understand the difficulty and structure of the questions across different stages.
- IMHO Advertising Flyer: Download the official IMHO flyer for promotional purposes from here.
These resources are designed to aid your studying for the International Mental Health Olympiad, from initial preparation to the establishment and promotion of an Olympiad-focused club within your community.
International Mental Health Olympiad (IMHO) Club
Teacher Sponsorship Email Template
[BEGIN TEMPLATE]
Dear [Teacher Name],
I’m [Your Name], and I’m a student here at [School Name] with a keen interest in mental health advocacy and psychiatry.
I am reaching out to inquire about your potential interest in sponsoring a new club focused on the International Mental Health Olympiad (IMHO). This global competition is dedicated to advancing understanding and interest in mental health and psychiatry among students from grades 6-12, encouraging them to engage in critical thinking and research within this vital field.
The IMHO aims to inspire the next generation of mental health advocates and/or professionals by providing a platform for young people to explore and develop their knowledge in mental health. Our vision includes not only introducing students to the complexities of mental health issues but also recognizing those who excel in their understanding and application of mental health and psychiatry studies.
We plan to organize the Olympiad activities on a local level at [School Name], with hopes of participating in the larger, international events and possibly hosting our own sessions aimed at preparing for this challenging and rewarding competition.
Your role as a sponsor would be immensely valuable, offering guidance and support while requiring minimal time commitment. We anticipate holding club meetings [Planned Meeting Frequency], on [Planned Meeting Days/Time(s)], focusing on various aspects of psychiatry and preparation for the Olympiad.
I believe this club could significantly enhance the psychiatry and mental health education offerings at [School Name], inspiring students across all grades to explore these critical fields further.
I look forward to the possibility of discussing this exciting opportunity with you and am happy to provide more information or answer any questions you may have.
Thank you very much for considering my request.
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[END TEMPLATE]
