Country Music Artists remind Tamworth festival-goers to ask the question, R U OK? 

For the third year in a row, country music stars, led by six times Golden Guitar winner Travis Collins, will shine a light on the message of suicide prevention charity R U OK? at two separate concerts.

Music for Mates

Wests Diggers (Showroom)

Monday 21 January

11am - 1pm

Travis Collins in Concert

Toyota Park, Tamworth

Friday January 25

7pm - 10pm

For the third year in a row dedicated R U OK? ambassador Travis Collins will again use his platform at Australia’s biggest country music event, to remind the estimated 300 000 visitors, about the importance of checking in with anyone who might be struggling with life.

Sadly, it’s a subject close to his heart. Collins lost a close family member to suicide five years ago and knows how deep pain and loss can impact loved ones and friends.

Nationwide, people living in remote and regional Australia take their lives at a rate of nearly twice that of those who live in cities. Each year, around 20 suicide deaths per 100,000 occur in isolated rural areas, compared with 10 in urban locations. (CCRMH 2017)

R U OK? CEO Brendan Maher believes it is vital for the charity to keep reinforcing the need for all Australian’s to get comfortable asking the question and to be on the look-out for signs that someone might need an ear, and possibly professional support.

“We know that people are more likely to manage their problems if they receive support early. We don’t need to wait until they’re in crisis, getting in early is key. Starting a conversation with someone who has gone through a relationship breakdown, a job loss, is in financial strife or a number of other situations that could cause them distress, is something we can all do and it’s something that we need to collectively get better at.”

Maher said with suicide rates increasing in 2017 by nine per cent, the opportunity to spread the charity’s message, conversation tips and help-seeking was more important than ever.

“We are incredibly grateful to an ambassador as devoted and sincere as Travis Collins. Travis has gone above and beyond to keep sharing the R U OK? message across the country for the last three years and he’ll be doing it again this year on an even bigger platform. We know his fans will take onboard this message and hopefully it will change many lives, as a result,” Maher said.

‘Music for Mates’ is now in its second year, headed up by R U OK? supporter Ryan Daykin who has also thrown himself behind the charity. Daykin has pulled together an incredible line up of country music stars, all keen to share their music and use their profile to reach those who need it most.