Thursday, September 15, 2011

R U OK?

Today is R U OK? Day.  


To quote the website, R U OK? Day is
"a national day of action which aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones."


More than 2000 Australians suicide each year, and for each person who suicides there are another 30 who attempt to take their life.  Men are more likely than women to take their own life yet rarely do we talk about it.  These are shocking statistics that we can change, we can make better.

Most people don't openly share their problems or talk about how they're feeling, particularly if they feel like they're struggling.  Feelings get bottled up and buried.  Little problems turn into big.  

We're conditioned from an early age to tough it out, to put on a brave face, to not show our weaknesses.  But that's not helpful.  Asking someone if they are okay opens the door for them to ask for help.  And asking for help can be the hardest question of all.

So today, start a conversation that could change a life: ask your brother, ask your sister, ask your mum, ask your friends, ask your neighbour, heck ask your bus driver, "are you okay?"  Show them that you care and that you are there for them if they need your help.  

I'm okay, are you ok?

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