The University of South Australia Mount Gambier Campus hosted an event for R U OK? Day to raise awareness about the day and start conversations.

The event was held in the UniSA Bob and Gayle Cowan auditorium and included a free pizza lunch, R U OK? Day themed cupcakes and a live-streamed presentation organised by the R U OK? Day committee.

Take-home bags comprising mental health information were also provided by the USASA board and headspace.

UniSA Mount Gambier student engagement leader Julia Mitchell said the event was attended by students, lecturers and UniSA regional manager Ian McKay stayed for the entirety of the event.

“We were really happy with the amount of engagement we got,” Ms Mitchell said.

“I think the main thing is it just got a lot of people talking, as much as we’d advertised putting posters around and used the student Facebook page, some people still did not know.

“But it was just great because we got to talk to a lot of people as they were coming in the door or as they were going to leave we were like ‘do you want a cupcake for R U OK? Day?’ and they were like ‘oh my gosh, I did not even realise’.

“So I’m hoping that would have prompted people to go home and talk about it.”

Ms Mitchell said both lecturers and students attended the livestream and the cupcakes made by Mount Gambier business Cupkates were a hit.

“They were amazing, everyone loved them,” she said.

Ms Mitchell said UniSA Mount Gambier planned to host the R U OK? Day event again next year.

“This is something that is super important, so we will definitely host it again next year,” she said.

“We are just really grateful the SE Voice wanted to advertise our involvement with R U OK? Day.

“It definitely helped get the word out and spread awareness, which is all our goal was as well.”