On Tuesday 10 October, we celebrated World Mental Health Day at the College and the Year 11 VCE Vocational Major students got to experience a truly amazing session with Speak & Share.
Speak & Share is a not-for-profit mental health organisation which encourages tough conversations, and challenges the stigma associated with mental health.
It was really incredible to see how immediately engaged the students were and how open they were with each other. It is fair to say it was a real success and all of the students took away the message of the importance of speaking and sharing when they find they are struggling with their mental health or also when they are in a positive headspace.
Below are some reflections from the students:
The session with Speak & Share was such an amazing experience. Knowing the organisation already, from their cool merchandise and watching their messages over social media, and being a big fan built up a bit of extra excitement. The session was run so well and provided a safe space for me to open up and share my thoughts and emotions without judgment. The session created a supportive atmosphere that encouraged vulnerability. Hearing others' experiences and coping strategies was not only comforting but also incredibly insightful. The discussions around self-care, stress management, and the importance of seeking help when needed were invaluable. This session reminded me that I'm not alone in my struggles and that it's okay to ask for help.
— Kyan
Going into the session I didn't really know what we were getting into. I thought it was a very interesting and productive way to get us all involved into their program, and coming out of the session I actually felt really good about myself as I got to share a few things about myself that not many really know about me. I found that I really liked and got involved with everything they were saying and asking us to do. Overall I thought it was a really good workshop and I feel that everyone got something out of it.
— Josh
I really enjoyed the Speak & Share incursion. It was such a great experience. They are all such nice people and I hope they come back because it was such a good time. I learned more about my friends and I'm sure they learned a lot about me too. Thank you to the team for making the effort to come here.
— Amelia
