R U OK? Day

Last week the College used R U OK?Day as powerful reminder to students and staff of the importance of reaching out to others. The College held a special morning tea for students and staff to celebrate the R U OK?Day message.

The theme for this year was ‘There’s more to say after R U OK?’. The theme refers to the fact that you don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they are having a difficult time.

On the day students participated in wellbeing activities designed by the Counselling Team during pastoral groups. They watched videos on practical strategies to reach out to someone if they are concerned. They also discussed the fact that if they have serious concerns about someone that they inform an adult. The activities were a great platform for discussion on mental health and the boys engaged well across the year levels.

Some useful R U OK? statements both the boys and staff were reminded of on the day were:

• “I’ve noticed a few changes in what you’ve been saying/doing. How are things for you at the moment?”
• “With everything that’s going on, you’ve been on my mind lately, how are you?”
• “Have you been feeling this way for a while?”
• “It sounds like that would be really tough. How are you going with managing it?”
• “What’s something you enjoy doing? Making time for that can really help.”
• “What’s been working for you since we last chatted?”
• “Do you need more support?” 

There was also a fantastic display with further sources of information on mental health and wellbeing in the Resources Centre.

Hopefully R U OK?Day is a reminder that every day is the day to ask each other “are you OK?”.