Each year during September, R U OK? promotes a national day of action encouraging everyone to ask “are you OK?” and to remember every day of the year to support people who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs.
R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to suicide prevention and inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone who may be struggling. This year’s theme is ‘Trust the Signs, Trust your Gut and ask R U OK?’.
Staff at GMCU will participate in a range of activities in the build-up to R U OK? Day, encouraging each other to check in and make sure that their colleagues are okay.
Talking about GMCU’s involvement, chief operations officer, Peter Thomas reflected, “R U OK? provides a range of resources that we are able to use to help staff to have the confidence to ask each other and everyone in their lives the simple but critical question – R U OK? We will be sharing videos, facts sheets, tips and tools and just encouraging conversation. And if you pop into a branch on September 12, don’t be surprised if you are asked, R U OK?”
To learn more about R U OK? and how they support suicide prevention, visit their website www.ruok.org.au.
Sometimes conversations are too big for workmates, friends and family. At these times, it can help to call upon organisations such as Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467, or SANE Australia 1800 18 SANE (7263).
