Students raising awareness

What is R U OK? Day

In September, students from Year 10 and our Student Representative Council hosted a morning tea to raise awareness for Mental Health Issues.

R U OK? Day is a day dedicated towards raising awareness for Mental Health issues in Australia. This day was originally founded by an Australian charity whose prime purpose is to raise awareness in order to prevent suicide. The purpose of this day is to remind people that a simple question such as “Are you okay?”, could create a difference to anyone who could be struggling with mental health.

Drought Angels

Drought Angels is another Australian charity that supports Aussie farmers and people in rural communities. They provide assistance to the unfortunate by giving food hampers, care packs, local store vouchers, stock feed and hay, which are used to make an easier lifestyle and help around the farm by allowing the animals have something to eat.

Coming together

To kick the campaign off, R U OK Day posters were displayed around the school, reminding students to ask the very important question. During Connect, Years 7-10 completed an activity that informed students of the types of damage mental health issues can cause, and how people can help others that may be going through a difficult time. In addition, SRC and year 10 organised a morning tea, where these students was able to contribute to the fundraiser by donating food for Years 10, 11 and 12 to attend. Year 10 students and the SRC banned together to make sure that their peers were feeling okay and even used the knowledge from the presentation to help other people in the community.

During recess, an abundance of people came to the TAS Quad giving a gold coin donation while enjoying the many foods and snacks in order to help fundraise for the charity Drought Angels. 

The fundraiser was a huge success, raising over $600 for Drought Angels, supporting the farmers and rural communities.

Janes Villegas, Year 10