R U OK?Day is 11 September 2014 help prevent suicide

Community Event/Community Day

Today is R U OK?Day.

The event is designed to help prevent suicide.

It was founded in 2009 by the late Gavin Larkin, in memory of his father who committed suicide in 1995.

11 September @ruokday ? founder the late Gavin Larkin shares how his father's #suicide prompted him to.. http://t.co/wulGSekp00 via @YouTube
— Jane Deany (@JaneDeany) September 10, 2014

Here's the YouTube interview with Gavin which explains the history of R U OK?Day.

http://youtu.be/vxkJho7YHj4

So wherever you are, Broken Hill, Melbourne, Australia, the world all over, please don't forget to ask those around you from time to time, are you okay? - R U OK?

Even if someone looks fine, they just might be depressed, and even on the verge of suicide.

Please don't forget if you aren't okay, you can call Lifeline's 24 hour 7 days a week crisis line on -

13 11 14

or in an emergency, if life is in danger, call  000

Alternatively, do speak to your GP, a friend or family member.

Ask for help, it's out there.

Stay well, cheers, Jane Deany

R U OK?Day 2013 is on again across Australia

Community Event

In the words of the The R U OK? Foundation's website -

'R U OK? is a not for profit organisation dedicated to encouraging all people to regularly and meaningfully ask 'are you ok?' to support those struggling with life.'

Today 12 September is R U OK?Day for 2013.

Map from R U OK? website showing where
R U OK?Day events are being held around the country.
Please click on this link below to find out more

www.ruokday.com

I know it's showtime in Broken Hill, and that's all about having a great time, however, I think it's pretty important not to forget people struggling with the horrors of depression, especially in an on-going way, even at this otherwise fun time of year.

R U OK?Day is Australia's national day of action which is an annual event on the second Thursday in September. The day is dedicated to reminding people to regularly check in with family, friends and colleagues to see if they are okay.

R U OK? also has resources to help you ask throughout the year R U OK? They're worth checking out.

I wish I knew to ask one of my precious brother's if he was okay, as he was not. That was seven years ago in 2006. That's when he decided that life was all too much. We never even knew he was depressed. Perhaps the key point to this story is the fact that we had no idea how bad he must have been feeling, and that's one of the key messages of the R U OK? Foundation and R U OK?Day. You often won't know unless you ask.

Enjoy the fun of the Broken Hill show which coincidentally started on the same day as
R U OK?Day, (see my article about the show via the link here) but don't forget to ask the all important question from time to time -

R U OK?

Also, don't forget, you can call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14 if you feel you need support with depression and related issues.

Broken Hill's Lifeline office is at 194 Argent Street, Broken Hill, (08) 8087 7525.

Jane D