By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
DURING Mental Health Week, Hallam Senior College students opened up about their mental well-being with a ticket to wellness.
The college ran a marketplace with trained health workers setting up stalls on the school grounds.
The market provided students with information on support services in their local area and helped to start a conversation about anxiety, depression and fear.
The school’s Julie Buzasi said the ‘Ticket to Wellness’ market was a really successful way of acknowledging the week and giving students the chance to take part in the “mindful practices” set up around the week.
“There was a range of activities on offer for students to learn that managing stress can be done in fun and varied ways,” Ms Buzasi said.
“Including mindfulness meditation, mandela colouring, bubble time, basketball hoop and outdoor chess.”
Healthy food and drinks were supplied to students on market day, Thursday 8 October, and Ms Buzasi said the day was about raising awareness of mental well-being and reducing the stigma around mental health issues.
“This event is about starting to open up discussions as well as exploring ways for students to be happier and healthier,” she said.
Youth services including, Monash Health, South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault, Youth Support Advocacy Service and Unite Alliance were just some of the stalls set up on the day.
