Mental Health Week at Coolock
20/09/2018During Mental Health Week, which included R U OK Day, there was a range of activities happening each day, with posters around the school to let us know what was on.
Did you know:
- 1 in 5 people are currently suffering from a mental illness?
- 1 in 2 people will suffer from a mental illness at some stage in their life?
- 1 in 7 young Australians aged 4-17 experience a mental health condition? That is about 560,000 Australian children and teenagers.
Anxiety and depression are the most common mental illnesses that affect young people.
Mental Health Week and R U OK Day works to promote awareness of mental health and assist people suffering from a mental illness to seek help.
In Housegroup we looked at some short YouTube clips that promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing – Take Notice, Give, Be Active, Connect and Keep Learning. We learnt about mental wellbeing and discussed a range of topics.
We all got wristbands from Beyond Blue. Beyond Blue is an Australian non-profit organisation working to address issues associated with depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other related mental disorders. They have a Youth Beyond Blue website dedicated to providing information, resources and support for young people aged 12-25 years. You can find more information on their website.
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/
On Tuesday there was a BBQ at lunchtime to raise funds for Mercy Works. There were sausages, hamburgers and cans of drink available. On Wednesday, there was a teacher versus student netball game in the gym at lunchtime. Well done teachers who won in a very entertaining match.
Thursday was R U OK Day. Students wore a touch of yellow with their uniform. On Friday, there was a Kahoot Quiz on Mental Health Week in the library at lunchtime with prizes for the winners. There was also a Guess Who competition in the library all week. Staff and students tried to guess who the staff member is from their baby photo.
R U OK? Day is a national day of action, dedicated to inspiring everyone to regularly ask each other ‘Are you OK?’ The day aims to prevent the impacts of mental illness by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones. As a school community we want to promote and encourage everyone, not only today, but on a regular basis to ask their family and friends “Are you OK?”.
There were posters around the school that showed the 4 steps to starting a conversation with someone. The steps are:
1. Ask ‘R U OK?’ or ‘How are you going?’
2. Listen without judgement and take what they say seriously
3. Encourage Action and suggest ways to seek help
4. Check in with them and catch up soon to see how they are going
There are lots of people and places you can go if you are feeling that things aren’t quite right, or if you are struggling with things that are happening in your life.
At school you can talk to a trusted teacher, Head of House, Housegroup teacher or other staff you feel comfortable with. You can also go and see the Counsellors: Brooke and Chantel. There is information on Schoolbox about how to make an appointment with them.
https://schoolbox.cmc.vic.edu.au/survey/intro/727
At home you may be able to talk to your parents, or other family members. Your friends can also be a good support if you’re not feeling yourself. You can also get help either online on in person from places like Youth Beyond Blue, Kids Helpline and Headspace. You can find their details online.
https://kidshelpline.com.au/
https://headspace.org.au/
https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/bendigo/
https://www.ruok.org.au/
Mental Health Week and R U OK? Day is about raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing. It’s about looking out for your friends and asking if they are OK. It’s about telling someone you care. It’s about asking for help if you’re not feeling yourself. It’s about knowing that there are supports to help you get through.
Thank you.
Coolock SRC
