By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
On R U OK? Day, schools across the country came together to emphasise the importance of mental health and encourage meaningful conversations that can make a real difference in the lives of those who may be struggling.
R U OK? is a national suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.
It focuses on building the motivation, confidence, and skills of the help-giver – the person who can have a meaningful conversation with someone who is struggling with life.
This year, we reached out to Ferntree Gully’s Wattle View Primary School to find out how they promoted awareness and support around the issue of suicide.
Wattle View Primary School captain Vukota Misic shared that this year, the school introduced themed activities for R U OK? Day, these activities helped students learn how to support and approach peers who may be feeling down.
“For me R U OK day means to check in on how people are going and that everybody can approach somebody if they’re not looking ok and help them out,” the 11-year-old said.
“R U OK day is important because it is a crucial skill to be able to approach somebody when they’re sad, disappointed or depressed, it’s equally important because when you’re not ok you will usually not want to participate in activities or learning so when a friend comes they are most likely able to help you and encourage you to get back to learn or participate in physical education (PE) Art, Performing Arts, Stem and Auslan.”
“My school educated students about the importance of that day and we made and put up posters around the school so if somebody’s in the schoolyard and they are not feeling ok another student or staff member can approach the poster to know how to confront the student or staff member.”
Wattle View Primary School principal Tracy Wright said a myriad of supports are in place at the school to support student and staff wellbeing.
“R U OK day is a great opportunity to check in with those around you and remind students about wellbeing strategies and supports with students and using this year’s theme of ‘You don’t have to be qualified to ask R U OK?’, students participated in activities guiding them through what to ask and what to say when checking in on each other for example, ‘How are you travelling?’ and ‘I am here to listen if you want to talk’,” the principal said.
“Students discussed action that can be taken and the importance of a regular check in, not just on R U OK Day, but anytime of the year.”
According to R U OK organisation, around eight-point-six people take their lives every day in Australia and over 10 million Australian adults know someone who has died by suicide.
The Wattle View staff held a morning tea with a ‘yellow’ theme; yellow donuts, bananas as an example, in its communal staff room, decorated with a splash of yellow, to promote the importance of wellbeing conversations.
“It is a great opportunity to check in on colleagues and discuss the importance of doing so regularly,” Ms Wright said.
“Our community was reminded about the day via our web-based school management system Compass, and links shared to support families with how to get involved, the importance and impact of a conversation and supports available.”
Vukota said his advice for a struggling friend would be to try and forget about the situation by doing something they like or enjoy it’s because that actually helps him out when he’s feeling down.
“My advice for a friend who is struggling in silence is for them to build up the courage and confidence to confront somebody whether being their friend, another student or staff member and to talk about the situation,” he said.
