“ARE you okay?”
These words were on the lips of students at Marsden State High School committed to removing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Year nine student leaders worked with staff to spread a positive message of mateship and openness during the school break as part of the school’s Mates Talking Change program on Thursday, September 13.
The group sold stickers, post cards, stress balls and various types of merchandise to remind the school community of the importance of starting honest conversations with friends and loved ones.
Marsden State High School Mates Talking Change coordinator Mitchell Robertson said money raised through R U OK Day would go towards enhancing the program to cover the entire school community.
“The intention is to spread this MTC program from the school excellence program to go school wide,” he said.
“The whole purpose of R U OK Day is to make us more connected to to spread a positive message that it is okay to speak out.”
Year nine student Angeline Stewart said it was important for people to feel comfortable expressing and applying their honest feelings.
An R U OK survey conducted this year revealed 57 per cent of Australians wanted someone to ask them if they were okay.
