South West Schools focus on mental health for RUOK? day

South West students explored mental health and the importance of talking about how they feel as part of R U OK? events. Newton Moore Senior High School held an R U OK? day mental health expo on September 13 in conjunction with Mental Health week to bring awareness to suicide prevention. Students were encouraged to learn how to recognise the signs of mental health struggle in friends, family and colleagues and start meaningful conversations that offer support and care to those in need. More than 20 service providers joined the lunchtime event for students and staff to obtain support and information, plus students “dressed up” trees in blue as part of the Blue Tree Project. Well-being co-ordinator Donelle McInerney said R U OK? workshops gave students a comfortable space to seek help if they were struggling. “I find a lot of the kids don’t want to openly say they are not OK, whether it is family or other circumstances, people don’t like to say they are struggling,” she said. “The R U OK? day event has kids go along with everyone else, and all of a sudden a child might go up to someone like Beyond Blue and start up a conversation,” she said. Treendale Primary School invited the community to share in their mindfulness for this year’s R U OK? Day, with community organisations flocking to promote mental health. Students took part in more than 15 activities hosted by community-based organisations such as Scouts WA, Anytime Fitness and Yoga Life Studio. School principal Candice Barclay said the aim of the day was to make students feel good and stay connected to each other. “The R U OK? Day message reminds us all to check in on our friends and loved ones and to understand that it’s OK to not be OK sometimes, but it’s important to let someone know,” she said. “This year we were blown away by the number of community groups eager to volunteer their time for this cause.” R U OK? Day was held on September 9 across the nation, with next year’s set to take place on September 8.