Tuning in to mental health

Tuning in tomental health

SafeTalk Training “Almost anyone can learn the skills to save a life”

– LivingWorks Education World Mental Health Day on 10 October was an apt day for HVGS staff to commence the SafeTalk Training with Living Works Australia, which focuses on suicide and suicide prevention.

Principal, Rebecca Butterworth, is a strong advocate for suicide prevention training for teachers in schools because of the shear impact it can have on a young person struggling with their mental health.

“Training for teachers is a crucial step towards supporting students at risk because it helps people know what to do in the moment and supports students to reach out for help,” says Rebecca.

Staff engaged in the LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) are learning life saving skills like understanding how to identify when someone may be at risk of suicide and then work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. The training has been offered to HVGS as part of a state-wide initiative to create a network of safety and support around young people.

R U OK Day

R U OK DAY is a very special day at HVGS and embraced by all staff and students. To raise awareness and amplify the message of R U OK Day, the School came together to write messages of encouragement, reflection and to illustrate what R U OK DAY means to them.

This was a great way to start the conversation and have peers discuss with each other how they were feeling. The School footpaths were left bright and colourful – a beautiful representation of the caring staff and students that call HVGS home.

Layla and Ashaani from the Year 12 Leadership Team had a chat to us about what R U OK Day means to them and what you can do to start the conversation. Scan the QR code to hear more.