Empowering Your Child's Participation in Men's Mental Health Forums for International Men's Day

Dear Auburn High School Parents and Carers,

I'm very excited to announce that Auburn High School is holding a series of Men's Mental Health Forums for International Men's Day. Throughout the week following IMD, observed on November 19th, the Wellbeing Team will be holding lunchtime forums to respond to student's needs. These forums are designed to foster understanding, empathy, and open conversations about an often-overlooked subject - men's mental health. We'd like to invite you, as parents and carers, to encourage and support your child's involvement in these essential discussions, regardless of their gender.

How Can Your Child Participate?

Our Men's Mental Health Forum is open to all Auburn High School students
The program will soon be advertised around the school, via Compass and on the year-level Teams
Participation is simple: your child can submit anonymous questions via the Google form link and attend one or all of the lunchtime sessions
The amount and length of sessions will depend on the amount of questions we receive and will likely be filtered by topic or year-level

Why It Matters:

These discussions provide a unique opportunity for your child to gain valuable insights and knowledge about mental health and wellbeing
They will learn how to support their peers who may be grappling with mental health challenges.
We believe in breaking down stereotypes and stigmas, and these panels are the perfect platform to encourage open conversations.

Ensuring a Safe Space:

Your child's wellbeing and comfort are our top priorities. We have established a confidential platform for students to ask questions anonymously. These questions will be filtered for appropriateness and answered in a judgment-free environment by mental health and wellbeing experts who value transparency and open dialogue
Myself, as the Student Wellbeing Coordinator, and the extended Wellbeing Team are dedicated to ensuring a safe and supportive atmosphere

Individual Support:

If your child has ongoing concerns or requires additional assistance, the Wellbeing Team are available to offer one-on-one sessions providing tailored guidance and support

We believe that understanding and empathy form the foundation of a strong, supportive community. By participating in these discussions, your child will contribute to making Auburn High School a place where everyone feels understood and supported. Thank you for your support and encouragement in fostering a compassionate and understanding school environment. We look forward to your child's active participation and meaningful contributions.

RUOK Day Summary – Term 3

RUOK Day was marked on Thursday 14th September at the end of Term 3. This day holds great significance to young Australians as it offers a platform to raise awareness about mental health issues and encourages open conversations about emotional well-being. In a society where the pressures of academic performance, social media and the fast-paced nature of modern life can be overwhelming, RUOK Day serves as a reminder that it's okay to ask for help or to check in on a friend. It fosters a culture of empathy and support, reminding young people that they are not alone in their struggles and that there are resources available for those in need. By promoting the simple yet powerful act of asking, "Are you okay?" the day empowers young Australians to break the stigma surrounding mental health and create a more compassionate and understanding society.

Approximately one in four young Australians experiences a mental health disorder in any given year. Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people in Victoria. The suicide rate is higher amongst males.* Many young people in Victoria struggle to seek help for their mental health concerns due to stigma, fear of judgment, or lack of awareness about available resources. Various school-based programs and initiatives have now been implemented in Victoria to promote mental health awareness and early intervention among students. These programs aim to provide support and education on mental health issues.

*If you are worried about your young person's mental health you are always welcome to contact us at Auburn High School Wellbeing or see the range of helplines available below.

At Auburn High School we took action to raise awareness about mental health. A large combined effort from staff and students including Student Leaders, the Art Club, the Psychology Club and the staff Wellbeing Team. There were staff pop-up mindfulness sessions, and an online gratitude board where students expressed messages of gratitude for staff, senior students on the student leadership team took time out from study to interview staff about what RUOk day means to them and then created a video. The video provided a powerful chance for staff to role model help-seeking behaviour to students and also break down the belief that the adults have things ‘all sorted out.’ Watch the video here.

So from everyone at Auburn High School we hope that you are doing okay today, and know that if you are not, you are not broken or faulty, you are normal. The best thing you can do is take action or talk to someone. There is real scientific evidence that backs up the fact that social interaction, exercise or acts of gratitude help to pick us up when we are down. So the next time you feel flat, visit a neighbour, walk around the block or call an old friend and you might just feel a bit better.

If you do experience more intense feelings of distress there are many services available to help (see below) .

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