With R U OK? Day taking place last Thursday, 8 September, various events and activities took place throughout the community to raise awareness for mental health and to help start critical, potentially life-saving conversations.
R U OK? Day aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.
There are four steps to having a conversation that could really help people through struggles, including asking R U OK?, listening, encouraging action, and checking in post the conversation for updates.
Remember, R U OK? isn’t just a question that should be asked on an annual day each year, but one that should be regularly asked to family and friends to make sure everyone is on the right path.
R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.
Our work focuses on building the motivation, confidence and skills of the help-giver – the person who can have a meaningful conversation with someone who is struggling with life.
R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues – to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they’re in crisis.
The Hilltops Youth Action Group in partnership with the Hard Rock Gym held a special R U OK awareness day last Tuesday.
The free event included a guest speaker, sausage sizzle, mini workout and a care package incorporating a bunch of useful tools and items such as contact numbers for support services, a stress ball, wristband, and jellybeans, just to name a few.
A large contingent of school aged youth around town attended the R U OK? event last Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by owners of Hard Rock Gym Glenn and Ros Stewart, as well as Hilltops Mayor Marg Roles.
Staying fit and active is a great way to release endorphins in the brain which makes us happier, more energetic and more motivated.
The youth were put through a session of stretches and a light workout while there were attending the R U OK? event as well as starting positive and proactive conversations.
Well done to the Hilltops Youth Action Group and Hard Rock Gym for the initiative, along with mental health provider Wellways.
Tim Warren
