R U OK? Day 2020
Next Thursday 10 September is R U OK? Day. The theme for this year is ‘what do you say after “are you okay?”’ Our Year 7-9 students in our wellbeing period this week have been practising how to ask someone if they are okay and what to do after the person has responded. The four steps promoted by R U OK? Day are:
1. Ask.
2. Listen.
3. Encourage action and
4. Check-in with them again.
For more information or if you would like to organise something within your own workplace, go to https://www.ruok.org.au/. As always, I welcome any contact from any parents who have any ideas or suggestions regarding the mental health and wellbeing of our boys and wider community.
Why might young people be feeling low?
A range of circumstances can lead to a young person feeling low, including:
- Experiencing grief or loss
- Big life changes like moving house or school
- Being around people going through tough times
- Being bullied
- Arguing with someone
- Problems with school work
- Being bored
- Having a medical condition or chronic illness
- Not sleeping well
- Not exercising enough
- Hormonal changes
How can I spot the signs someone might be struggling?
Be aware of certain behaviours and signs that can indicate a young person might be struggling. The first thing to look out for is changes in behaviour. When people feel low, they often:
- Withdraw from their friends or their family
- Lash out at people and get angry or upset really easily, including towards the people they care about
- Cry or become emotional
- Lose interest in activities and things they usually love
- Have changed sleeping patterns. They might be sleeping all the time, not sleeping much at all, or sleeping at strange hours (such as in the middle of the day)
- Have a changed appetite. They could be eating more than usual, or less.
How can young people support their friends?
- Young people cannot be expected to fix someone’s problems, nor know the best way to help and support.
- However, they can listen to what their friend is saying, let them know they care and tell a teacher or their Formation Leader, College psychologist or trusted adult if they are worried about their friend.
- By promoting an environment of positive peer support and accessing support channels via an adult, young people can learn that asking, “Are you OK?” is a key life skill.
What do I do if they say they’re not okay?
R U OK? has 4 Conversation Steps to help navigate a conversation when someone says, “No, I’m not OK”.
These steps are:
1 Ask
2 Listen
3 Encourage action
4 Check in
Useful contacts when a young person is not OK:
- College psychologist
- GP or external psychologist/counsellor e.g. Headspace
- Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Dial 000 if someone’s life is in imminent danger
Vote for Gus Worland at Gotcha4Life!
The College has established a positive relationship with the Gotcha4Life charity through initiatives such as the Steve Smith Assembly, A Night with the Blokes, Breaking the Man Code (Yr 10, Term 4), A Night with the Parents (Term 4) and other community events. Gotcha4Life have, and will continue to, help support and educate many of our young Saints men.
Gotcha4Life founder Gus Worland has been nominated in the 2020 Westfield Local Hero and recognition program for making a positive impact to the local community. If successful, Gus will be awarded $10,000 for Gotcha4Life. Gotcha4Life, along with their community partners such as Tomorrow Man, are raising the issue and awareness of mental health, particularly amongst men, in the local and wider community, so the prize money would be a great help to their cause.
If you would like to show your support for Gus and the Gotcha4Life team please register your vote here.
Thank you for your support.
Daniel Fee
Leader of Student Wellbeing