Community
13 September, 2024
Check in on your mates - R U OK?
WARRNAMBOOL College was a sea of yellow yesterday (Thursday) as the school community banded together to show its support and raise awareness about R U OK? Day.
The college held various activities throughout the week, including an assembly on Thursday where staff and students heard from year 12 student leaders Nyasha Iervasi and Zoe Borthwick, principal David Clift and ‘K’s for R U OK?’ ambassador, Warrnambool’s Nathan McKane.
While R U OK? is a national day of action, held annually in September, people of all ages are encouraged to stay connected and ask R U OK? regularly because a conversation could change a life.
Mr McKane told the students that, like everyone, he too had experienced life’s ups and downs - sadly losing his best friend to suicide about 20 years ago.
Mr McKane said while he’d had his own life-changing setbacks he always knew he could reach out to people for help or a chat “and not be a burden,” however, some people feel they don’t have that option.
During the assembly Mr McKane reminded students there were lots of ways to reach out for help and he encouraged the teens to look for signs if a mate didn’t seem like their usual self.
Mr McKane said his seven-year-old daughter Harper was aware of the word suicide and for him it was never too early to help create and understand awareness.
In 2023, Mr McKane participated in ‘K’s for R U OK?’ and this year was chosen as an ambassador.
He featured on its national social media channels, raising thousands of dollars and covering hundreds of K’s. “I soon realised that you don’t need to be an athlete or a leader to raise awareness and knock over some K’s,” he said.
“I had people reach out to me and say I was inspiring because I was putting a very serious topic into the public space and that they had re-connected with friends.
“For me, it is about awareness and if this everyday, bearded and dreadlocked 43 year-old can make a difference, so can you. Maybe, just by being a friend, you are already making a difference.”
College captain Zoe Borthwick said R U OK? was a simple question that could “truly save a life” and encouraged kindness always.
“You never know what someone is going through behind closed doors, so I encourage you to remember how valuable and necessary kindness is, not only when we know someone who is struggling, but all the time,” Zoe said.
Zoe urged anyone struggling to reach out.
“I encourage you to remember that you have a purpose in life and that you are valued and loved more than you could ever imagine,” she said.
“There are plans full of hope for your future, even if you don’t know what your future looks like, or what your purpose is. You are capable of amazing things and it’s OK not to be OK. Things will get better. You are seen and you are loved.”
Fellow college captain Nyasha, 17, said the day was a reminder of how important friends were and asking R U OK? on not only on this day, but every day, was crucial.
“Asking may seem scary but can be done in four simple steps; the first being actually asking R U OK?,” she said.
“The second is to listen with an open mind and thirdly you should encourage action and finally check in.”
Warrnambool College principal David Clift spoke of the importance of maintaining positive mental health, practising self-care and to be proactive in seeking support before things snowballed and became too difficult.
“It’s actually about keeping our mental health in a positive space so we’re not getting to a point where we’re struggling to reach out for help,” Mr Clift said.
If you or someone you know needs help contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
