ARE you OK?

It may be a simple question, but Border youngsters believe it could be a step towards saving somebody’s life.

Yesterday more than 150 students from 13 schools attended a youth mental health forum in an attempt to tackle the issue head on.

The teenagers said mental health issues like depression and anxiety were prominent in every- day life and were often intensified by schoolwork and relationships.

Albury-Wodonga Community College student Chelsea McHale, 14, said the forum would help a struggling young person who did not know where to turn.

“There might be people who are feeling suicidal or have friends who are feeling suicidal and don’t know where to go,” she said.

“There is a lot of judgment wherever you go.”

Chelsea said the forum had made her more observant to how people were feeling.

“Talking and asking if they’re OK could be enough,” she said.

Billabong High School student Jamie Larsen, 16, encouraged people to get involved next year to break down the stigma of mental health.

Sebastien France shared an emotional story about his battle with depression through high school.

He believed the forum should be held more than once a year.

“We need to get students talking about it and thinking about it more,” he said.

Mr France said people were affected by mental health issues when they were young because it was often when they realised they weren’t feeling right.

“The damage will be done if you don’t get help as you move into adulthood,” he said.

It was the third forum held at the Albury Entertainment Centre by the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, and it coincided with the R U OK? Bus Tour stopover in QEII Square.