The Years 7–10 Personal Development Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) syllabus covers important issues for young people, including mental health. This is explored both in relation to individual health and wellbeing, as well as the role of community health promotion and intervention.

Teachers may benefit from accessing the resources produced by R U OK? – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring and empowering Australians to ask “are you ok?” of anyone struggling with life.

Consistent with the intent of the syllabus, R U OK? aims to enable young people to have meaningful conversations about life’s challenges and stresses - an invaluable life lesson.

The concept of R U OK? is to inspire and assist young people to ask their friends “are you ok?” on a regular basis and show genuine care when someone is not ok.

By empowering teenagers to have these conversations, R U OK? aims to build their resilience and sense of belonging, as well as increase their knowledge of invaluable support services and information- such as school counsellors, ReachOut.com and Headspace.

There are many resources available at ruokday.com/school. The classroom toolboxes for Years 7–12 include lesson plans and worksheets. Additionally, there is a range of useful videos at YouTube.com/ruokday

These resources may be especially useful in the lead up to R U OK?Day – a national day of action on Thursday 11 September.

For more information, contact:
Howard Kennedy
Deputy Director, Curriculum & Assessment
howard.kennedy@bos.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8313