On the second Thursday of September, Kolbe’s community paused to connect, reflect and ask ‘are you ok?’. It has been 17 years since the first R U OK? Day and that single day of action has now become a year-round conversation thanks to schools and workplaces just like ours, sharing the message of hope and connection, not just for one day, but for every day.
Making time to ALEC – Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, and Check In, can have a meaningful impact on the people around us, working together to break down the stigma of mental health challenges and asking for help when we are not feeling okay. This year our Wellbeing Team, alongside our year 12 Captains, worked tirelessly to put together a day of opportunity to connect, to check in, or to simply remind us that we are not alone.
During PC students watched important messages on how to be there for others and how to ask if someone is ok, while others came together to complete quizzes and share messages of calm. At lunch the energy ramped up with a visit from Rosie-O Face Painting, games and music on the avenue, and craft activities to spread some joy! Liv, a Year 10 student said: “it was fun that everyone could come together during lunch to do something rather than sitting in separate groups”. Our students particularly enjoyed painting rocks with kind messages and spreading them around the school for others to find.
Our celebrations may have ended for another year but we continue to remember the importance of looking out for one another EVERY day.
If you or anyone you know needs support, please reach out to Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636.
