Jessica Rowe and Peter Overton to help tackle bullying
Peter Overton and Jessica Rowe are a couple that have half a century of experience in the television industry between them.
The pair are recognisable for regularly appearing on Aussie’s screens but the duo’s work off camera is truly inspirational.
The mental health advocates are now ambassadors for You Can Sit With Me, an initiative which aims to reduce bullying.
The initiative invites children to wear a yellow wristband to show students who are feeling isolated that they can come and sit with them.
“It’s such a simple and effective way to show someone in the playground that there are peers who won’t accept bullies and there is someone who is willing to put an arm around you,” said Peter Overton, who is a newsreader on Channel 9’s evening news.
“Bullying exists no matter what school or suburb of Australia you live in, so this provides a sanctuary to those children who are doing it tough in the playground.”
On Sunday, Jessica Rowe attended a You Can Sit With Me fundraiser at the Ritz Cinema at Randwick with other high-profile ambassadors such as Manu Feildel, Neil Perry and Sophie Falkiner.
Jessica was surprised to learn one in four Australian children experience bullying.
“We hear more and more stories about kids being bullied and what I love about this campaign is it’s as simple as a child wearing a wristband,” she said. “It serves as a symbol to other kids that if they are feeling alone, this is someone who will keep an eye out for them.”
Jessica believes this initiative empowers children to not tolerate bullying from a young age.
“It’s so important to look out for the vulnerable people around you, whether it be in school, in the workplace or just in general life,” she said.
The mother-of-two has become passionate in supporting vulnerable people as her mother, Penelope, has bipolar disorder.
“She taught me the real meaning of resilience, courage and bravery because for many people it takes enormous courage just to get out of bed,” Jessica said.
“Mum always impressed upon us the importance of asking why and speaking up, and she was always interested in finding out people’s stories,” she said.
Jessica understood the impact a mental health condition can impact a family but it wasn’t until she suffered post-natal depression after the birth of Allegra, her eldest daughter, 10 years ago that she understood the stigma that comes with having a mental illness.
“There’s almost a double stigma because everyone around you is telling you how happy you should be and you know how happy you should be,” she said.
“But I’ve never felt so wretched and sad and also because, in my earlier life, I always felt very strong and capable. So the fact that I couldn’t cope, that added to my sense of failure.”
Jessica shares her story in the hope that others will be inspired to get professional help as she did.
The couple are also patrons of the Mental Health Council of Australia.
“Both of us feel very strongly about talking about the importance of mental health and removing stigma that unfortunately surrounds it,” Rowe said.
“Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness, even though at the time you feel like a failure.”
If you or someone else needs help, call beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36.
To learn more about this anti-bullying initiative, go to youcansitwithme.org.
Image credit: Danny Aarons