COLOURFUL MESSAGE
PIMLICO State High School teachers are donning colourful new uniforms aimed at raising awareness for mental health.
The industrial tech and design team chose the bright and funky workwear as a way to highlight the importance of tradies as well as start mental health conversations at the school.
Head of department Craig Timbs said the Trademutt shirts continued the school’s push to promote men’s health through a worthwhile cause.
“Anything that aids this cause/promotes discussion is worth the trouble,” he said.
“If it only helps one, it is one less we have to be concerned for.
“We have all helped staff and students at one time or another and supported them through difficult times.”
The right pocket of the shirt features the letters YNWA, which stands for “You’ll Never Walk Alone”.
Pimlico State High’s student development teacher Lee Kynaston said the shirts were a great way to draw young people’s attention to mental health.
“Young people will do what we do more than do what we say,” she said.
“As adults in our young people’s lives we can model help-seeking behaviour; that it’s OK to have the full range of human emotions; that speaking to someone and letting them know what’s going on is a helpful tool for facing the ups and downs that life throws at us.”
Ms Kynaston said young men especially needed to know that it was OK and healthy to have a full range of emotions.
“We want to help equip them with the tools and strategies to experience the full range of emotion in a healthy way,” she said.
“Part of that is looking for people to speak to or asking a mate how they are.
“Having the courage to speak up about how they are and breaking old stereotypes of masculinity will help them to thrive in the 21st century.”