Pj day shines a light on mental health

(Back) SRC Liaison teacher Suzanne Humphries, Maddy, Charlotte, Tristan, Rory, Brad Battin, (front) Karima, Holly and Jasmine sporting their pyjamas. 184130_01

By Kyra Gillespie

The Beaconsfield Primary School community relinquished the school uniform for the day, wearing their pyjamas to school in the name of mental health.

Teachers and students alike wore their comfiest attire – even the parents were seen walking their children to school in pyjamas on Tuesday 14 August.

“Our Student Representative Council (SRC) developed the idea of pyjama day as a fundraiser to support Relationships Victoria, a group supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children across Victoria,” school Principal Gary Methven said.

“It gave teachers and their children to opportunity to normalise the discussion of mental health and talk about the things we can do in our daily lives that build good mental health and resilience.

“The SRC raised $1715, their best supported fundraiser ever and the children were delighted that Brad Battin shared their passion for making things better for others.”

A 2015 government survey on child and adolescent mental health one in seven children and adolescents aged 4-17 years experienced a mental disorder.

This is equivalent to an estimated 560,000 Australian children and adolescents.

Gembrook MP Brad Battin joined in on the day, sporting Geelong Cats pyjamas.

“It was great to join Beaconsfield Primary School leaders at Pyjama Day; a student led initiative to focus on positive mental health,” Brad Battin said.

“Not only did students raise money, they raised awareness. A simple reminder to take care of your own mental health, to look out for friends and learn new ways to keep mentally healthy.

“Gary Methven and his team educate these young people in maths and English, but as important teach them to look after themselves.

“Pyjama day was a great day to relax and talk about an important topic and it was great to get the Geelong Football Club pj’s out to make everyone smile. ”