Students value social network for R U OK? Day

There was one question on the lips of students at Rangeway Primary School last Thursday, and it was all thanks to National R U OK? Day.

The annual event, drawing attention to mental health and suicide prevention, tries to open a dialogue in the community by simply getting people to ask friends, family and co-workers how they are doing.

Over the past few weeks, students at Rangeway Primary School have been learning about the importance of mental health, along with what support resources were available to them.

Deputy Principal Chad Barnes said the emphasis on mental health had stemmed from several distressing events within the community.

“This is probably the first year to my knowledge we’ve taken on R U OK Day? in such a major way,” he said.

“Over the past few years there has been a couple of negative things relating to mental health and it affects family, friends, kids and everyone in the wider community.

“Their teachers are with them eight hours a day, five days a week and often take on a pastoral role as well as teaching. “It’s a few of the reasons we felt it was important to educate the students about mental health and the local support networks available to them.”

Students wore yellow to school as a show of support and were also given talks by guests speakers including two senior Aboriginal police liaison officers. Headspace Geraldton centre manager Nick Duigan also stopped by and said he was impressed with the students’ knowledge.

“I was really impressed with the understanding the students had on mental health and their teachers have obviously left them well researched,” he said. “Something they seemed to understand well was the importance of having connections with family and friends — it’s the first protection they can have.”