Cookie decorating, an Indigenous art workshop, boxing and yoga were among a variety of activities on offer for participants in Rochester Secondary College Mental Health Day last week.
Be Kind to Your Mind Day also involved hundreds of students tackling a colour run course, which was used to involve St Joseph’s Primary Schools in the college event.
The Mental Health Day began with an address by former gang leader Luke Kennedy, who shared his story of resilience with students.
For eight years of his life, Mr Kennedy was an obese alcoholic and drug addicted thug.
He led a violent street fighting crew, was stabbed on two separate occasions (once in the lung and the other time in the head) and explained his battle with depression and anxiety.
His book, Stabbed Ego — A Thug’s Journey to Enlightenment has become an international best seller and one of Australia’s top motivational speakers.
Mental health support has become a staple in secondary school communities, with Beyond Blue, Black Dog Institute and Head Space all providing support mechanisms for teenagers who suffer from depression and anxiety.