On Friday 6th of September, VCAL ran an extended Senior School assembly which was devoted to mental health.The assembly consisted of a mental health panel. This panel included staff members like Mr. Demetriou, Mr. Dave Burgess, Mr. Feldman Jr and Georgia Pearson, our school’s new senior pastoral care worker. The panel consisted of questions that the students submitted on a survey which VCAL sent out a week prior.These surveys showed that 60%, of the people who filled it out, have a friend who suffers from a mental illness. It also showed that 71 out of 89 people suffering from mental or emotional issues do not seek help. Some of the most common questions that were asked were what is a mental illness and how do you help someone with a mental illness? Our male members of the panel answered the question on the male stigma associated with males showing emotions. They replied using personal feelings and experiences. They said that being masculine and showing emotions are not separate things.They are one and the same. Through opening up about their own emotions, they tried to make the audience feel more comfortable. We are looking forward to running our R U OK? Day picnic this Friday and giving young people the opportunity to talk about their mental health in a fun and safe environment.Angus and Sarah,on behalf of the VCAL team.