R U OK? calls on Australians to Trust the Signs someone might be struggling with life

hello • 10 July 2019

Suicide prevention organisation R U OK? have today launched a nationwide ‘Trust the Signs Tour’.

Starting in Gosford NSW, the Tour will travel around 14,000 kilometres over the next nine weeks, visiting every state and territory and engaging 24 communities in an educational experience.


The ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ comes in the wake of research released by R U OK? that found nearly two-thirds of Australians (63%) are not confident they know the signs that someone might be struggling with life. Of those surveyed, 41% hadn’t asked someone if they were OK because they weren’t sure they knew the signs. However, there is hope, with almost 1 in 2 (49%) believing they’d be more confident starting a conversation if they knew the signs.


R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton says the Tour aims to build confidence in recognising when someone might be struggling so that Australians ‘Trust the Signs, Trust their Gut and Ask R U OK?’.


“We know the majority of Australians believe talking to someone who’s struggling can make a difference. But what we’re hearing, is that people aren’t sure when the right time is to have an R U OK? conversation,” said Newton.

“Signs can be subtle changes in verbal or non-verbal behaviour. A loved one might tell you they’re having difficulty switching off or a mate might be withdrawing from social situations like not turning up to training. We’re encouraging people to look out for those cues. We can also make a conscious effort when we know someone is going through a significant life change such as job loss, relationship breakdown, study pressure or perhaps becoming a parent.”

“By taking the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ around Australia, we hope to empower people to trust their gut instinct and ask the question as soon as they spot the signs that someone might be struggling with life.”


This is the sixth consecutive year R U OK? has hit the road. This year the Tour will involve two dozen communities that have reached out for an R U OK? visit. Public events will include Gosford, Forster, Port Macquarie, Woolgoolga, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gympie, Mundubbera, Charters Towers, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, Loxton, Bendigo, Shepparton, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Nowra and Sydney.


As in previous years, each event will feature R U OK? Ambassadors, a free community BBQ, activities for all ages and entertainment.


New for this year is a giant yellow installation housing an educational experience to help every visitor learn when to ask R U OK? The experience features scenes and signposts to guide people through what might be going on in someone’s life and what they might be doing or saying when they’re struggling.


R U OK? are encouraging communities to join Tour stops for a free feed, activities for all ages and a chance to learn more about navigating a conversation with someone you’re worried about.


In Gosford the community also heard from R U OK? Community Ambassador. Celeste grew up on the Central Coast became a champion of the R U OK? message following the loss of her best friends’ daughter to suicide.


“We’re here today because our amazing Central Coast community is passionate about looking out for each other. I’m lucky to champion the importance of having these life-saving conversations every day and often people tell me they think they’ve spotted changes in someone they care about, but they aren’t sure,” said Cannell.


“We want to empower people with knowledge of the signs someone is struggling, so they can trust their gut instinct and start a conversation that could save a life. You don’t have the be an expert, just a good listener and a good friend.”

Importantly each event on the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ will highlight local mental health support services, volunteer organisations and Suicide Prevention Networks ensuring those attending are aware of the existing services available in their community for the times an R U OK? conversation is too big for friends and family alone.


Local services attending in Gosford today included Central Coast Local Health District, Headspace Gosford, Lifeline Direct, Life in Mind, LifeSpan, Men Care Too, Mr Perfect, Rural and Remote Mental Health Service and SOKS (Save our Kids from Suicide).


“These events are about raising awareness. Not just about the R U OK? message but of existing services in the community that the public might not realise are available to them. We are passionate about working collaboratively to ensure individuals get the support they need and today’s event in a fantastic example of that collaboration in action,” said Helen Isenhour, Manager for Headspace Gosford.


The ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ will complete its journey in Sydney on 12 September to coincide with R U OK?Day, a national day of action marked with events around the country.


Ambassadors, including Barry Du Bois, Travis Collins, Barry Conrad, Tom Derickx, Casey Donovan, Bianca Dye, Chris Green, Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, Rachel Lynch, Miguel Maestre, Ben Ross, Izack Rhodda, Joe Williams and Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, have thrown their support behind the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’.


R U OK? are encouraging all Australians to learn the signs, download a practical toolkit and start regular meaningful conversations throughout their communities when its needed. More information on how to get involved can be found at: 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:

Visuals:

  • Media kit available. To include images and overlay of activation set-up at 15:00 today.

Available for interviews:

  • Katherine Newton, R U OK? CEO
  • Celeste Cannell, R U OK? Community Ambassador
  • Helen Isenhour, Manager Headspace Gosford

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 .

What are the signs?


What they might say:

What they might do:

What might be going on in their life:

  • Things that sound more confused or irrational
  • Things that indicate a persistent drop in mood
  • Complain they have difficulty switching off
  • They are struggling to see a future
  • They believe they’re a burden on others
  • They feel worthless or alone
  • They feel trapped or unbearable pain
  • Talk about death, suicide and wanting to die
  • Change their mood or experience extreme mood swings
  • Withdraw or avoid friends, family or social situations
  • Change their online behaviour
  • Not enjoy hobbies or interests they once did
  • Have difficulty concentrating
  • Lose interest in maintaining personal hygiene or appearance
  • Behave recklessly, including increasing alcohol or drug use
  • Change their sleep patterns
  • Relationship breakdown
  • Major health issues
  • Work or home stress
  • Financial difficulty
  • Study pressures
  • Loss of someone or something they care about

Summary of research findings:
In 2019 R U OK? conducted a national omnibus survey that revealed:


  • Approximately two-thirds of people (63%) are not confident they know the signs that someone might be struggling with life
  • 41% hadn’t asked someone if they were OK because they weren’t sure they knew the signs
  • But there is hope, with nearly 1 in 2 (49%) believing they’d be more confident starting a conversation if they knew the signs

The research was conducted on behalf of R U OK? by Colmar Brunton and via the Colmar Brunton and Your Source Omnibus, which interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,026 Australian adults (aged 18+) in May-June 2019. It excludes people who’ve participated in the previous three weeks and data is post weighted to ABS proportions. The margin of error associated with the results is +/- 3.0%.

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 ruok.org.au


Nazik, in a yellow t shirt, at an R U OK? event.

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