Here to hear
There are a few important mental health and wellbeing observance days coming up this spring. This includes ‘World Suicide Prevention Day’ on 10 September and ‘R U OK? Day’ on 14 September. These observance days focus on raising awareness about suicide prevention to combat social stigma, champion hope and promote ways to take meaningful action that could make a difference to someone. Suicide is a complex issue, and no one factor leads to someone taking their own life. Talking about mental health or illness can be difficult, especially when there are often negative, incorrect and unfair beliefs associated with mental ill-health. ‘World Mental Health Day’ on 10 October is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma which further helps to make talking about mental health and illness a little easier. You don’t need to be an
R U OK? has created a four-step tool known as ALEC to help with our conversations:
A – Ask L – Listen E – Encourage Action C – Check in
You can visit the Suicide Prevention Australia or R U OK? websites for more information. • Suicide Prevention Australia
www.suicidepreventionaust.org • R U OK? Day www.ruok.org.au
If reading this article has impacted you or someone you care for in any way, please reach out to any of the services listed below that you think best meets your needs: • Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 • 13YARN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific) 139276 • SuicideLine VIC 1300 251 651 • Headspace (Youth 18 to 25 years) 1800 650 890 • Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 224 636
expert to reach out - just a good listener.
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