Thursday 15th September, 2011 was R U OK?Day in Australia. It is a national day of action which aims to prevent suicide by encouraging all of us to connect with people around us and see how they are going.
It is important to remember that the smallest gestures can make the biggest difference in a person’s life. Showing someone concern lets them know that there are people that care about them.
When a person feels isolated, their emotions can spiral out and it can lead to depression and other mental illnesses. If no help is provided, it can result in suicide.
Suicide rate in Australia is not falling. According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), over 2000 Australians took their own lives in 2009.
If you know someone going through a hard time, reach out to them. Talk to them and help them see that the current situation they are in is temporary - Things will get better, will improve.
Life is hard, we need support from each other on this journey.
I want to share inspiring and important words that Will Smith said in an interview. (I’m paraphrasing): There have been so many people that have lived and died before us. All the problems that you have now - have been experienced by someone before you and they written a book about it. No one experiences new problems. Go find that book and read about it.
I think that is important advice. Many times we can feel alone and don’t know how to cope with it. We feel that no one truly understands us. We can see that people try to understand, but they aren’t living it, they don’t know how we feel. If you go and find that book that was written by the person that has been in your shoes; their words and advice will connect with you.
R U OK? Day is one day in a year to raise awareness of mental health. But it is important to apply it to your everyday life.
For more information about R U OK, click here
