According to the students of Dubbo's Buninyong Public School; even superheroes need a mental health day sometimes.
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Buninyong Public will be hosting a Mental Health Day in conjunction with Mental Health Month at Victoria Park on Saturday, October 19, from 10 am.
The event is free to the public, and all guests are welcome to attend the day sporting their favourite superhero costume.
Local Facilitator of the Buninyong School Community Centre Lorna Brennan organises a mental health event every October for Mental Health Month.
The focus this year is on acknowledging the importance of and educating yourself about mental health in adolescents and adults.
The most alarming statistic reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2017, for children aged one to 14, was that suicide was the second leading cause of death
- Lorna Brennan
Dubbo's Primary and community Health Paediatric Psychology and social team worker Kristy Cleary said the statistics for our younger children's mental health is "quite alarming.
Mrs Brennan decided to focus on children 0 to 12-years-of-age, as well as their parents, teachers, mentors and consultants.
"The report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of mental health and wellbeing found that one in 10 parents identified a need for information and that parents of children with severe disorders identified a need for courses or other counselling life skills, self-esteem or motivation," Mrs Brennan said.
"A report from the Murdoch Children's Research Institute 2018 indicated an association with some mental health problems and loss of learning and school engagement by year seven.
"The most alarming statistic reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2017, for children aged one to 14, was that suicide was the second leading cause of death in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and self-harm was the third."
Mrs Brennan said the event aims to raise awareness of mental health within adolescents, and she is encouraging locals to participate in the movement.
Anyone who feels as though they need support can call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.