MENTAL health is a major focus at Brooks High School, and its message of acceptance and resilience was supported on Tuesday with a visit from the RUOK? Roadshow bus.
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RUOK? is a suicide prevention organisation and has been touring the state with its resource.
Campaign director Rebecca Lewis said they were encouraging people to share their stories by inspiring them to write thank-you messages to those who have extended a caring gesture along the way.
‘‘By sharing real stories and helping people to write notes of thanks, we hope that more people will be convinced that regular, meaningful conversations between family and friends can change lives,’’ Ms Lewis said.
Brooks High School chaplain Kylie Aldred said it was fantastic to see the engagement during the event.
‘‘We’re linking the RUOK? visit in with our mental health day in October,’’ Mrs Aldred said.
‘‘The school here is really good, there are students who will come and see me or our social worker with a friend or a friend will bring them, the school is supportive of that.’’
She said they educated children on how to recognise physical and behavioural differences in people’s behaviour, and also equipped them with strategies on how to best approach them.
‘‘I see this campaign as being really powerful, so often students are taught maths and English, but we don’t teach them how to be kind, or to have good emotional intelligence,’’ Mrs Aldred said.
●If you need help, you can contact Lifeline on 131114, beyondblue on 1300224636, Lifelink Samaritans on 1300364566, Kids Helpline on 1800551800, or MensLine Australia 1300789978.