R U OK? is inviting schools from across Australia to inspire conversations that count through the R U OK? National Student Art Competition.
R U OK? is a public health promotion charity that aims to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling with life. Entries to the competition – which aims to celebrate the creativity of students in Years seven and eight through the power of art – close on 5 July.
Creating meaningful conversations
Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw – aka KIIS FM radio drive-time hosts ‘Will and Woody’, who became friends in school and hope to inspire other great mates to start meaningful conversations – will join the competition judging panel.
“It took us years to have a real conversation about what was going on for Will,” Mr Whitelaw says of his friend’s mental health struggles.
“I knew he wasn’t OK. I just didn’t know how to ask, I didn’t want to make it worse,”
Mr Whitelaw’s experience is not uncommon. Research from R U OK? reveals the top reasons young people didn’t ask, ‘are you OK’ when they think someone is struggling include
- three in five said they felt it wasn’t their place to ask
- half reported feeling afraid they would make the situation worse
“Since we started talking about what was really going on for Will, we’ve never been closer. In turn, he’s been there for me as I navigate the highs and lows of life that we all experience,” says Mr Whitelaw.
“We hope this competition gets young people talking – people like the younger Will and Woody.”
Mr McMahon wants young people to know their support can make a difference.
“During times when I’ve not been OK, Woody’s support has meant I don’t feel alone,” he says.
“Learning how to be a good friend and ask, ‘are you OK? can be lifesaving skills, and we’re looking forward to seeing the creative ways students represent this in their entries.”
Checking in with mates matters
Students can create an individual artwork under the theme: What does an R U OK? conversation mean to you? and are encouraged to respond to the brief as they interpret it.
Artwork might explore when a friend was there for them or when they were there for a friend. It might represent how a meaningful conversation makes them feel. It might encourage others to check in with their mates any day of the year or represent ideas of how they might support someone they care about.
Entries are limited to two per school. Prizes include art supplies and for winners, an invitation to a prizegiving event at the Art Gallery of New South Wales where they will connect with other student winners and enjoy a private tour of the Archibald Prize Exhibition. The prize includes the cost of flights and one nights’ accommodation for the student and their parent or guardian.
R U OK? has a broad collection of free resources for school communities, and information on how to enter, submission deadlines and competition terms and conditions is online.
“Art has a unique ability to start conversations and foster understanding,” says Dr Hannah Brown, R U OK? Education and Young People Manager.
“By engaging students creatively, R U OK? want to get young people thinking about how they can support each other and the many forms of mateship.”
