St Joseph's College, Echuca

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing

R U OK? Day

R U OK? Day this year will be held on Thursday 12 September with the focus being ‘R U Ok? Any Day.’ 

 

So what does this mean to us? 

 

This day asks us to re-consider what it is to be a good mate/friend. A good friend possesses several key characteristics that make the friendship strong and meaningful. Here are some of the most important traits:

  • Trustworthy: A good mate/friend is reliable and can be trusted with your secrets, feelings, and personal information. They keep their promises and are honest with you.
  • Supportive: They are there for you in good times and bad, offering encouragement, comfort, and help when needed. They celebrate your successes and stand by you during challenges.
  • Loyal: Loyalty is the cornerstone of a strong friendship. A good friend sticks with you through thick and thin, even when things get tough.
  • Respectful: They respect your boundaries, opinions, and differences. A good friend values your feelings and treats you with kindness and consideration.
  • Good Listener: They pay attention when you talk, showing genuine interest in what you have to say. They listen without judgment and offer thoughtful feedback.
  • Empathetic: A good friend can put themselves in your shoes and understand your emotions. They show compassion and care about your wellbeing.
  • Dependable: You can count on them to be there when they say they will be. They follow through on commitments and are consistent in their behavior.
  • Positive Influence: A good mate/friend encourages you to be the best version of yourself and motivates you to make positive choices. They inspire you and lift you up.

As a good mate/friend do we check in with those around us?  Could you easily identify when your mate/friend is not at their best? It is important to know and understand some of these signs. You may notice signs by:

 

Listening

  • What are they saying – is it all negative talk?

Watching

  • Are they not replying to messages?
  • Are they missing out on activities?
  • Not turning up to school?

Paying attention to what’s going on in their life

  • Is a member of their family unwell?
  • Are they moving house?
  • Have there been any major challenges or changes in their life?

Checking in regularly with your mate/friend will not go unnoticed. What’s one thing you could do differently to be a good friend?

 

Tips for being a good friend video.

SchoolTV also has a Special Report on R U OK? Day.

 

 

Suzanne Pola

College Leader - Student Wellbeing