Wellbeing
Diversity Group Update
Wear It Purple Day
On the 25th Of August students of the Diversity Group held celebrations for Wear It Purple Day across the school. Principal Paul Frye cut the purple ribbon on the opening of our two, single cubicle, un-gendered toilets. Lawson Hall was alive with students dancing (in a ‘Just Dance’ dance off), having their nails done, eating purple cupcakes and posing in the photo booth. Safe Schools also visited on the day to interview some of our staff and students and capture the days festivities. A huge thank you to students Brock Munn, Shana Morrison, Shaun Scoble and Ben McDonald for cooking up the delicious BBQ.
Engaging in Democratic Processes
The Diversity Group has been actively engaging in promoting the human rights of LGBTIQ people by formulating a question asking for the rainbow flag to be raised by council for the duration of the marriage equality postal survey. This question was asked at a recent Mount Alexander Shire Council Meeting on behalf of the Diversity Group and was received positively by the large crowd in attendance. The Diversity Group has been heartened by the recent visible displays of support for marriage equality throughout the Castlemaine community.
Shera Blaise
Guidance Counsellor
R U OK?Day is a national day of action dedicated to encouraging all Australians to ask family, friends and colleagues ‘Are you OK?‘ The day is held on the second Thursday of September (10 September in 2015).
R U OK?Day is designed to target the whole population, to help all people understand the role they can play in supporting those grappling with a problem, big or small. Most people don’t openly share their feelings, particularly if they are struggling. The best thing we can all do is regularly talk to the people we care about. Schools are often the hub of a community. As well as touching base with our colleagues, staff in schools often have a connection with members of the extended school community.
It is natural for people who are feeling anxious or overwhelmed to also feel isolated and lonely. As well as assisting people to see they are not alone, encouraging people to check on family, friends and colleagues has many benefits.
Discussing a problem out loud can help them feel less overwhelmed. Asking for another person’s perspective about a problem can also help identify potential solutions. It’s ok to say “I’m not ok” and it’s ok to ask for help.
The following 4 step process is recommended:-
1 Ask R U OK? - start a general conversation, preferably somewhere private.
Ask open ended questions -
‘What’s been happening? How are you going?’
‘I’ve noticed that...What’s going on for you at the moment?’
‘You don’t seem like yourself and I’m wondering are you OK?’
2 Listen without judgement - guide the conversation with caring questions and give them time to reply - ‘How has that made you feel? How long have you felt this way? Have you talked to anyone about this?’
Don’t rush to solve problems for them.
Help them understand that solutions are available when they are ready to start exploring these.
3 Encourage action - summarise the issues and ask them what they plan to do - ‘What do you think might help your situation?’
Encourage them to take one step, such as see their doctor.
4 Follow up - Put a note in your diary to touch base or call them in one week. Ask if they’ve managed to take that first step and see someone. If they didn’t find this experience helpful, urge them to try a different professional because there is someone out there who can help them.
Dealing with denial? If they deny the problem, don’t criticise them. Acknowledge they’re not ready to talk. ‘I understand that you don’t want to talk about it but call me when you’re ready to discuss it.’
Say that you are still concerned about changes in their behaviour and you care about them. Ask if you can enquire again next week if there’s no improvement.
R U OK? www.ruokday.com
R U OK? is an independent, not-for-profit organisation committed to providing focus and leadership on suicide prevention by empowering Australians to have open and honest conversations and stay connected with people in their lives.
The national day of action aims to increase public awareness and understanding about the link between connection, community, wellbeing and suicide prevention. Programs are designed to provide ongoing education and information about ways to support each other through life’s ups and downs.
Alli Williams
School Nurse