The GFC School staff and students turned their school uniform ‘Inside Out’ today as part of an initiative to address mental health and promote positive emotional well-being.
Inside Out Day, which began in 2020 and has become an important part of Children’s Mental Health Week, is a way of making us all stop and think about how someone may look fine on the outside but inside they may be feeling stressed or worried.
The initiative was launched in 2020 in memory of Jenny Jackson, who suffered with mental health issues and tragically took her own life shortly after her 40th birthday, in 2016.
Mental health is one of the biggest challenges society faces, especially in the current climate we find ourselves in. By turning an item of clothing the wrong way round it is showing that nobody is perfect, even though outwardly they may appear to be and it is ‘OK to not be OK’.
GFC students took part in calming exercises such as making glitter-filled ‘magical mindfulness jars’, designing posters, listening to relaxing music, and engaging in important conversations.
Organising-teacher Jon Hill was pleased with the students’ enthusiasm for the event, saying: “It was such a positive day and our students really took on board a key message. We need to be kind and think of other people’s feelings; you can never really know what is going on inside. I am proud of what we have achieved today.”