The Channel Seven Wheel of Brisbane shines a light on the need to Trust the Signs and Ask R U OK?
The‘Trust the Signs Tour’ hosted an event below the rotating signage where they were joined by Leader of the Opposition Deb Frecklington MP, R U OK? Ambassador Bianca Dye and local mental health support services.
The suicide prevention charity inspires and empowers Australians to meaningfully connect with the people around them and particularly targets some of Australia's most vulnerable communities.
In the latest release of ABS statistics, Queensland reported the largest increase in suicide deaths of any state (804 deaths in 2017 compared with 674 deaths in 2016).Rates increased from 13.9 to 16.3 deaths per 100,000 persons with Queensland accounting for 49.6% of the overall increase in suicide deaths from 2016 to 2017.
Speaking to crowds gathered at the Channel Seven Wheel of Brisbane, Leader of the Opposition Deb Frecklington MP spoke about the importance of the R U OK? message for the Queensland community.
"I've been involved with R U OK? since 2012. It's a vitally important message for all of Queensland, but especially our remote communities," said Frecklington.
In the South Burnett we developed a local suicide prevention group and encouraged everyone to check in with one another and ask this question by bringing people together at my husband's local coffee shop. This effort wasn't just for one day but for weeks on end.
If we can have a healthy society it goes a long way to a happy community. So today I'm happy to put on my yellow corporate coat and say are you OK."
The R U OK? 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.
With 20% of survey respondents living in Queensland, results showed little state variation on these indicating this desire for building confidence is relevant to Queenslanders.
The Tour will depart Brisbane tomorrow, heading to Gympie, Mundubbera and Charters Towers before crossing the border in to the Northern Territory. In total, the Tour will travel around 14,000
kilometres visiting every state and territory and engaging 24 communities in an educational experience.
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 involves two dozen communities that have reached out for an R U OK? visit.
The Brisbane community also heard from R U OK? Ambassador and Brisbane Radio Personality Bianca Dye, the three-time winner of Australia's Best Radio Personality, who has long been celebrated for her open approach to discussing life’s inevitable ups and downs.
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.
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 and Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, have thrown their support behind the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’.
R U OK? is 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:
• 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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