More than socks: a quiet statement with a powerful message

In a world where mental health is slowly being recognised as a vital component of overall wellbeing, Year 12 students Sebastian (Seb) and Hudson have turned a simple idea into a meaningful initiative.

At the beginning of Winter Term, Seb and Hudson proudly announced that Round 12 of PSA Sport would be our Black Sock Round.

What is the 'Black Sock Round'?

A student-led initiative using a small gesture to raise awareness around mental health for our community.

On this day, every First team player at Scotch College, across all PSA sports, will wear black socks when competing against Guildford Grammar School.

Hudson explained that the initiative is modelled on the Brisbane Broncos' recent mental health awareness jersey, an all-black kit stripped of sponsors and logos, making the powerful statement that nothing matters more than the people beside you.

A simple idea with a big message

The idea was sparked at the beginning of Autumn Term when Hudson approached Seb with a simple question: "Why can't we have a mental health round in the PSA?"

"It was one of those rare moments where you hear something and immediately think, yes, why hasn't this already happened," said Seb when introducing the initiative.

On the morning, Hudson shared with Senior School students that "1 in 3 men experience a struggle with mental health in their lives".

He asked his peers to look around the room and grasp the significance of that statistic—while many in the room may not be struggling currently, some are, and many may face this struggle at some point in their lives.

"These numbers aren't just statistics. They're people. Your teammates, your classmates, your mates."

Hudson says addressing the audience.

Backing our words with action

By creating a school-wide moment of visibility, the Black Sock Round reminds every player that they are not alone, and every supporter that they can be someone else's support.

When conducting their research, Seb and Hudson found that 35% of men say that they wouldn't feel comfortable seeking help if they found themselves facing emotional challenges.

At Scotch, like all schools, mental health is something we talk about often.

We talk about the importance of looking after yourself, managing stress, and reaching out when you're not okay.

"But sometimes, talking isn't enough. Sometimes we need a visible reminder—something simple but powerful that shows we're serious about backing up our words with action,"

says Seb.

Whilst "wearing black socks doesn't fix everything," Seb admits, "…if it starts even one meaningful conversation, if one person feels more seen, or a little less alone, then it's worth it."

Pictured: First team representatives from various sport wearing the black socks.

More than a symbol

While sport can be a support system, it can also come with pressure, isolation, and comparison.

The Black Sock Round embraces the duality of this experience, inviting players, spectators, and the broader community to be part of a conversation that too often goes unspoken.

This initiative isn't about spectacle. It's about quiet solidarity.

As Seb put it: "It's not a loud declaration. It's a shared, silent gesture."

The call to action is simple: wear the socks, and talk about why.

Start a conversation, check in on a mate, or simply be present for someone who may need it.

In the world of adolescent mental health, these small moments matter.

An initiative such as this is no simple task, so we'd like to take a moment to appreciate the efforts of Seb and Hudson in leading this important initiative.

We'd also like to thank Guildford Grammar School and the Public Schools Association (PSA) for their collaboration and support in this initiative.