A meaningful day in the sun as Port Macquarie learns how to Trust the Signs
Hundreds of Port Macquarie residents had a meaningful day out in the sun when R U OK?'s Trust the Signs Tour rolled into town.
The event at Port Macquarie Private Hospital included musicians, activities for all ages, information on local support services and a barbecue cooked by the Port Macquarie Rotary Club.
R U OK?'s CEO Katherine Newton said the tour is about educating people on when a loved one might be struggling and in need of support.
"We are hoping people can consider three things as signs such as what people are they saying, what are they doing and what's happening in their life," she said.
"It's anything out of the norm, that's when people need to trust the signs and ask the question."
Aunty Rhonda shared what's really being said when we with our mob.
"You are seen, you are heard, you have value, you belong, you matter," she said.
Port Macquarie Private Hospital chief executive Connie Porter encouraged the community to trust the signs and ask, "Are you OK?" every day of the year.
"It's important to have those conversations all the time with the people you work with, loved ones or friends," she said.
"It's obviously not ideal to be leaving it to just one day of the year. We're really trying to highlight the importance of asking someone if they're okay regularly.
"It's an important conversation to have, not just with work colleagues but also friends and family."
The event came in the wake of new research from R U OK? which revealed that nearly two-thirds of Australians are not confident they know the signs that someone might be struggling with life.
The Tour is travelling around 14,000 kilometres over the next nine weeks
visiting every state and territory and engaging 24 communities. The next stop
is Woolgoolga for an event at the Marine Rescue Markets on Saturday 13 July.
More information on how to get involved can be found at: www.ruok.org.au
For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information please contact:
• Neha Lokesh: e: [email protected], m: 0470 580 215
• Hannah Evans: e: [email protected], m: 0424 083 499
• Annabel Bowman: e: [email protected], m: 0411 084 18
About the R U OK? Trust the Signs Tour:
R U OK? are calling on Australians to Trust the Signs that someone might be struggling with life.
• R U OK? will take the Trust the Signs message to every state and territory in the build-up to R U OK?Day (Thursday 12 September).
• The Trust the Signs Tour will involve an educational experience where people can learn more about the signs someone may be struggling with life. Inside a giant installation people can interact with life-size silhouettes and signposts to guide them through what might be going on in someone’s life and what they might say or do if they’re struggling.
• The Trust the Signs Tour will travel around 14,000 km, engaging with 24 communities before completing its journey in Sydney on R U OK?Day.
• On R U OK?Day – our national day of action - R U OK? will remind Australians to Trust the Signs, Trust your Gut and ask, “Are you OK?” of anyone who may be struggling with life.
R U OK? wish to thank the Trust the Signs Tour partners: Liptember, Flight Centre Foundation, Twinings, Audi Foundation, Top Parks and Virgin Australia.
About R U OK?
• R U OK? is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.
• R U OK? Day is a national day of action, held on the second Thursday of September each year. But every day is a day to start a conversation.
• Conversation tips and crisis support contacts can be found at www.ruok.org.au/findhelp
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