RUOK? Day - online event by the Mental Health Education Program

headspace Schools & Communities are excited to host an online workshop for secondary school students across Australia, to commemorate RUOK? Day.

We are delivering our Looking out for your friends: Notice, Ask, Connect workshop, hosted by our Mental Health Education Program (MHEP) Consultants.

The session will support young people to:

• Notice - how to identify warning signs that a friend might be going through a tough time
• Ask - how to have difficult conversations and ask your friend if they are OK
• Connect - how to help your friend access support
• Strategies for looking after your own wellbeing

Workshop times

This online event is being offered to secondary school students across the country, so please take note of your time zone below:

• VIC/NSW/ACT/TAS/ QLD - 1.00pm-2.15pm
• SA/NT - 11.30am - 12.45pm
• WA – 11am - 12.15pm
  

Registrations close Thursday 4 September 2025. You will be unable to register after this date.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How will this online event be delivered?

The online event is being delivered online via Microsoft Teams and will be streamed live into classrooms. Please speak with your IT departments to ensure you have access to the Teams online platform. We ask that teachers log into the sessions and stream the workshop via a projector for all students to view as a group.

Please do not share the Teams link with students to log in individually using their own devices.

• What technology do we need?

To participate in the online event, you will need access to Microsoft Teams, a projector and speakers, to livestream the session.

You will also need access to the Teams chatbox via a keyboard to actively engage with the discussions. Should your students also wish to engage verbally with the wider group, access to a functioning microphone will be necessary.

• Do we have to have our cameras on?

Whilst it is not compulsory to have your cameras on, we encourage that you do where possible, to support engagement and connection with other groups in the session. This can also support our MHEP consultants to engage with your students and to see what is happening in each classroom.

We understand that local school guidelines or internet connections may limit whether your group can have their cameras on.

• What if the time slots sit between two periods? Can we adjust the time of the online event?

This online event is being offered to classes across Australia so we are unable to shift the times. We recommend setting up a separate space in the school with staff supervision, for class groups to attend the event between lesson times.

• How long will the online event run?

This online event will run for 1hr 15mins. 60 mins for content and activities and 15 mins at the beginning to ensure everyone can log in and ensure their technology is working.

• How many classes can register from my school?

Any class at your school from Yr 7-12 is welcome to join us for our online event. Your classes are welcome to register separately or together as a whole cohort. As above, if the time slots don’t fit with your timetable, we suggest setting up a separate space in the school with staff supervision, for class groups to attend.

• What happens if the online eventis full?

If the online event is full, please register for the waitlist on Eventbrite, in the event another class cancels their registration.

• What is my role as a teacher during the online event?

Teachers are required to supervise the students and manage behaviour throughout the session. We also ask that they support the group to engage and actively participate in the event discussions and activities.

It is also important for teachers to monitor the wellbeing of students throughout the session and check in on anyone who they feel may have been impacted by the event content.

• What mental health topics will the online event cover and what if one of our students has recently been impacted by a tragedy or other critical incident?

This online event will discuss general mental health and ways to manage stress and tough times. We also promote help-seeking and encourage young people to reach out to their families and teachers if they need any support. If you’re aware of a student in your class who may find these discussions upsetting, please speak with their families and give them the option to opt out.

If your school has recently been impacted by a critical incident or suicide death, please connect with the Be You team in your state or territory for support. Please click here to find contact details for each state and territory.

• What if my class misses out?

There are limited spots available for our online event. Please register for the waitlist on Eventbrite, in the event that another class cancels their registration. If you are unable to join us, please feel free to visit the RUOK? Day website which includes resources for you to explore.