First Nations Telegraph

R U OK? has released new resources mapped to the Australian Curriculum for primary and secondary schools.

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“For students, learning how to support their peers and show interest in how a friend is traveling, through whatever life is throwing at them, is an important life lesson,” said Katherine Newton, R U OK? CEO.
 
“We have designed these resources to empower schools and increase students’ capacity to look after their peers by having meaningful R U OK? conversations.”
 
R U OK? educator resources include practical ideas, straightforward activities and case studies from other educators and can be integrated into pastoral care and wellbeing lessons via the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework.
 
In 2022 Brookside P-9 College in Caroline Springs, Victoria created a whole of school project called ‘R U OK?Day, Everyday’. Students produced creative work on this theme and staff were engaged in wellbeing initiatives utilising the resources from ruok.org.au. A highlight for students and staff was a series of role-play sessions led by the Student Wellbeing Team. Topics included how to spot the signs a friend may be struggling and how to have an R U OK? conversation.
 
“We’ve noticed it has built a positive mental health culture within the school,” said Kristienne Martin, Brookside College Student Wellbeing Team. “It continues to promote seeking support and encouraging others to check-in with their friends. Students are aware of the message of R U OK? and can identify the four conversation steps.
 
“Overall, it has improved awareness of mental health across staff, students and parents/carers. It has increased our capacity to recognise people who may be needing support as well as how to approach situations related to this.”
 
R U OK? educator resources can be used to address the Personal, Social and Community content in the Health strands from the Australian Curriculum. The resources also develop a range of General Capabilities, including aspects from Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding and Literacy.
 
The free resources can also support schools to design and implement whole school wellbeing programs which enhance the wellbeing of staff, students, and families.
 
These new resources build on the existing material available from R U OK? for educators and young people. R U OK? education resources are free to download from ruok.org.au with other materials and merchandise available to order.