Coodanup College celebrated their largest R U OK Day by holding a range of activites and events for students and staff to encourage positive mental health.
Student services manager Jane Bradbrook-Mann said the event, in its fifth-year running was the biggest one yet.
“We celebrate our community on this day, but also try and deliver the important message,” she said.
“It’s important to ask each other, ‘are you okay?’, and start that conversation.
Staff flash-mob performance:
“Yesterday, the day was focused solely on asking the question to the staff and today, it’s all about the students.”
Ms Bradbrook-Mann said the state basketball team visited, along with silver Olympic-medalist Amber Merritt, who represented Australia in the at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
The staff performed a flash-mob performance they had prepared and rehearsed for months to surprise students with, on the day.
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The lively Junkadelic performance group played in the school yard and on the stage, using a number of different instruments and making a lot of noise.
The students and staff also versed each other in wheelchair basketball.
Ms Bradbrook-Mann said the school had “strong support” for students to reach out if they need help.
“We have psychologists, chaplains, mentors,” she said.
Student services officer Fleur Henry said the students were asked to choose five staff at the school to be their support network.
“It could be any adult they feel comfortable with, like a gardener, teacher or education assistant,” she said.
“If they have those people, then they will always have an ear available and someone who can direct them where they need to go.
“We’re all busy, so you can’t just have one person, you need to have a few.
“We all communicate and talk, so we know what is going on with our students and we’re able to help.”
The school also holds a large event for the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
Support is available by calling Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800; Lifeline on 131 114; or beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36.