That is the encouraging message being impressed on local Year 12 students, who all received ‘You’ve Got This’ bags donated by the community yesterday.
Organiser and Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group member Lourene Liebenberg said the community recognised it has been a tough school year for students who have also missed out on several significant events.
To recognise this hardship, Lourene said they wanted to do something special to wish students good luck as they prepare for and sit their final exams.
‘‘The idea originated with some members of the Deni MHAG group having a chat about the impact of COVID-19 on the current cohort of Year 12 students, and how much restrictions have impacted them,’’ she said.
‘‘As a group, our focus is mental health and wellbeing, and we thought it would be great to do something supportive for this incredible group of young people.
‘‘It was also important to us that we got the community involved, as we know doing acts of kindness is good for our wellbeing. Many people are feeling the fatigue of COVID-19, and we thought focusing on something positive would be helpful to combat a bit of this, as well as support the next generation.’’
Former Deniliquin High School student René Liebenberg came up with the theme.
‘‘Within hours of making the idea public we had a group of interested parents and community members come up with products, donations and more ideas to support our students,’’ Lourene said.
The bags have been put together using a Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network’s Murrumbidgee youth grant.
They include stress balls, hand balls, sticky notes and a ‘You’re a survivor’ car sticker. The female students also get scrunchies, earrings and bath bombs, and the male students had a gift voucher in their bags.
Handmade rocky road and biscuits were also donated, and exam essentials such as tissues and hand sanitiser were also included.
Deni MHAG also supplied mental health resources about dealing with exam stress and information on national helplines in case extra support is needed.
Packs were delivered to Deniliquin High School yesterday, and local students who attend Moama, Echuca and boarding schools also receive a bag.
As part of the ‘You’ve Got This’ campaign, community members are encouraged to display red ribbons and are encouraged to leave messages of support on the ‘Let’s Keep Deni Blue’ social media page.
Anyone who would like to donate to this ongoing initiative is asked to call Lourene on 0428 281 060, or MHAG chair Julie Mullins on 0403 722 117.