The Brigidine Broadcast

Pastoral Care

"We have to nourish in order to flourish" 

—  anon.

R U OK? Day 

 

Brigidine College held RUOK? day on Thursday 19 September, a day which serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health and the impact of simple conversations. It is also to remind everyone to Ask R U OK? any because this is an important part of everyday and a way we can support and look out for each other.

 

At Brigidine, the SRC gave out yellow ribbons to girls as they entered the gate, and the SRC also ran a bake sale of cookies and other sweet treats, with all funds raised to support RUOK? mental health research. 

 

There was also a poster competition for students to design a poster that encourage ways to reach out and support others. This was won by Mariann Audisho of Year 11 and Cassandra Phillips of Year 8. We also gave prizes of special mention. 

 

In pastoral care, we participated in gratitude and blessings reflections and worked on acts of kindness to promote our own positive mental health.  

 

What is RUOK? all about?

 

A lot can happen in a year, a month, a week.  Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day. By having regular, meaningful conversations, you build trust and normalise talking about what’s really going on, so when the people in your world find themselves struggling, they know you’re someone they can talk to.

 

Tips

  1. Ask questions: reach out to someone you know and simply ask, “Are you okay?” Listen actively and be present for them.
  2. Create a supportive environment: be ready to listen and encourage open dialogue where others are comfortable sharing their feelings
  3. Share tips, resources and links: equip yourself and others with information about mental health resources and organisations like Beyond Blue and Lifeline who offer valuable support.
  4. Lead by example: share your own experiences and show vulnerability. This can encourage others to open up about their feelings.
  5. Check in again: to make sure your peers are progressing or need further help

 

Here is a video example of a conversation 

 

Together, let’s make every day an opportunity to check in and support one another. By fostering genuine connections and showing care, we can create a supportive community where everyone feels valued and heard. Remember, a simple conversation can change a life.

 

For more information, visit RUOK.org.au.

 

 

Sarah Charles 

Director of Pastoral Care