Peer Support Australia is encouraging schools to get involved with this month’s Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon.
The national non-profit organisation, which has been working with schools for almost 50 years to support student wellbeing, launched the annual event in 2019.
This year’s Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon aims to encourage children to build connections and combat the isolation that many youngsters have experienced during COVID-19.
Peer Support Australia chief executive Greg Cantwell said the Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon encouraged students to talk to their peers and develop new friendships, while walking.
“This year has been an unsettling time for students and teachers alike,” Mr Cantwell said.
“The great thing about the Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon is how it caters to the different needs of students and schools regardless of whether they are at school or a mixture of school-based and remote learning.
“We are especially encouraging schools that are recommencing in-person teaching to use the Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon as an opportunity for students to reconnect, while remote learning students can use the talking points included in our toolkit to start online conversations.”
The 2020 Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon event coincides with National Mental Health Month during October.
Participation is free and schools can register to participate by heading to www.peersupport.edu.au.
Registered schools will receive a Talk-and-Walk-a-Thon toolkit.
