Moss Vale High School student honoured for suicide prevention work

Moss Vale High School student Jeremy Millward has received the Young Conversation Champion Award at the 2021 Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards.

Held virtually by suicide prevention organisation R U OK?, the Awards recognise efforts to create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide across five categories; Workplace, Education, Community, Conversation Champion and Young Conversation Champion.

The judging panel took the time to celebrate the significant contribution Jeremy is making to suicide prevention work which has opened up the conversation for many at Moss Vale High School.

A Year 11 Student at the high school, Jeremy’s passion for R U OK? drove him to organise an R U OK? Week at his school. 

Activities included a ‘Wear it Yellow Day’, a conversation walk, school lesson activities about how to have an R U OK? conversation and the permanent installation of yellow tables in one of the main break areas at the school to encourage students to ask the question every day of the year. 

“We’re never too young to learn how to be a good friend and ask R U OK?”, says R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton. “The Young Conversation Champion Award recognises young people who are making connections, looking out for one another and encouraging everyone to ask, “are you OK?”.

“Jeremy helped raise awareness and build conversation confidence in students during a difficult year when looking out for one another was more important than ever.”

Jeremy accepted the Award over Zoom in a COVID-19 safe ceremony.

“These Awards honour a long-time friend of R U OK? who was a leader in the mental health and suicide prevention sector,” said R U OK? Chair Mike Connaghan of Ms Hocking’s legacy.

“These Awards honour Barbara’s lifelong commitment to peer-to-peer support, highlighting that all of us can have a meaningful conversation with someone in our world who might be struggling with the ups and downs of life. Barbara was the first person from the mental health sector who believed in the merit of the R U OK? mission to break down stigma and encourage conversations that can change lives.” 

Details of all categories, finalists and winners for The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards can be found on the R U OK? website at www.ruok.org.au/barbara-hocking-memorial-award