This year has been a challenging year for everyone, and circumstances make it even more important for us to stay connected.
Today, Thursday 10 September is R U OK? Day and World Prevention Suicide Day, an opportunity to shine a light on suicide prevention and a reminder to reach out to those around you who need support. This year the theme is to encourage everyone to keep the conversation going, when someone says they are not OK, make time to listen, encourage action and check-in.
Often the first on the frontline of social crises, such as bushfire disaster and pandemic, are our health care professionals. Your mental health and well-being is just as important, during times of increased community anxiety. Please remember to take care of yourself. We hope everyone in our community, including our front-line health care workers feel that they can talk about life’s ups and downs and access support if they need it. Resources are available to support practices on our Business Continuity for Practices webpage.
Eligibility criteria and more information about our commissioned services for those who live with mental health in Western Sydney can also be found on our Mental Health webpage.
A range of resources for professionals and organisations working in suicide prevention, and mental health have also been developed by Conversations Matter. They include a range of core principles and practical tips for supporting community discussion about mental health, including resources for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
Learn what to say after R U OK? At ruok.org.au