A simple question to ask any time of year
R U OK? Day has enabled the community to reflect on how to keep difficult conversations going year-round on mental health and suicide.
SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY founder Mitch McPherson said his team attended about 15 schools, community groups and workplaces on Thursday to educate people on services and how to help others.
“It’s an incredible day,” he said.
“It makes me really proud that so many people are (wanting to learn).”
Mr McPherson said R U OK? Day, which this year fell on World Suicide Prevention Day, was particularly relevant as COVID-19 took its toll on people’s mental health.
“I’ve done more than 650 presentations and I reckon there wouldn’t be many occasions where someone in the audience hadn’t been touched near or far by suicide,” he said.
He said spreading messages on mental health had made a positive difference, but said there was always more to be done.
Mr McPherson said new statistics revealed on average 135 people experienced grief or loss for every life lost to suicide.
“Today is a great way to start, sit down and think ‘I’ve maybe never been touched by suicide or mental health but chances are one day I might, so I’m going to prepare myself’,” he said.
University of Tasmania associate professor in psychology Kimberley Norris said preparing for conversations around mental health was important.
“It’s a wonderful reminder to us all that mental health is like every other component of health and needs time, attention and effort to ensure that we are experiencing our optimal health and wellbeing,” Dr Norris said.
“Being able to have these conversations more regularly actually will make sure that going forward our community more broadly recognises that mental health is an important part of our culture.”
The pandemic has also been found to impact our mental health negatively, and will likely continue to do so for some time, she said.
Dr Norris’s coronavirus wellbeing advice includes exercise, prioritising rest and relaxation, and creating boundaries between work and home life.
annie.mccann@news.com.au
If you or anyone you know needs help, visit or call:
ruok.org.au/how-to-ask Lifeline on 13 11 14 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline
1800 551 800