This Thursday the 12th September is national R U OK? Day, shining a light on the issue of mental illness.
Today everyone is encouraged to reach out to family, friends or loved ones who might be struggling and asking them “Are you okay?”
Starting this hard conversation can have a profound, positive, rippling effect on a person’s life who may be suffering silently.
Local state Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP says this is a conversation that needs to be had not just today, but year round:
“It’s important to make the people we care about know that they don’t have to do it alone, that we’re with them and will help if we can.”
“Asking the question ‘Are you okay’ is very important, but we shouldn’t just ask that question one day a year. We should reach out to the people in our lives who might be struggling and make sure they know we’re with them.”
Community Ambassador for R U OK? Day Jacob Ridgeway has told 2NURFM’s Mark Rorke just being asked set him on course to recovery and get involved:
“I had a really good family and friend circle around me and they could notice, so they were asking ‘are you ok?’ They were planting the seeds.”
Anyone dealing with serious mental health issues is urged to reach out to anyone, visit your local GP or hospital, and call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
