Brooke Blurton announces support for R U OK?

Brooke Blurton has today announced an Ambassador role supporting suicide prevention charity R U OK?

Perth local and Bachelor fan favourite, Brooke has seen the effects of life’s challenges first hand, having lost her mum to suicide aged 11 and in her professional role as an Aboriginal Youth Worker and Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Brooke is passionate about the role we can all play in looking out for our family, friends and colleagues and is proud to be announced as an ambassador for
R U OK?

“I’m passionate about awareness and ensuring that we tackle the suicide rates in my home state of Western Australia. I’m lucky to champion the importance of having these life-saving conversations every day through my work, and time and time again people tell me they think they’ve spotted changes in someone they care about, but they aren’t sure,” said Blurton.

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

R U OK? have welcomed Brooke’s support and hope it will shine a light on the role we can all play in supporting a loved one or colleague who is showing signs of struggling with life.

"We are all human and we all go through life’s challenges. It’s ok to acknowledge the fact that those around us will likely need our support at some point.” said Katherine Newton, CEO at R U OK?

“We are grateful Brooke is passionate about spreading the R U OK? message – helping us all to start a meaningful conversation with someone we’re worried about.

“We need to understand that we won’t always be able to fix someone’s problems – but we can listen, help guide them towards professional support and find ways to help them manage the load. "

R U OK? announced Blurton’s support at the Perth event of the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ which is travelling around 14,000 kilometres visiting every state and territory .

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.

The Tour will complete its journey in Sydney on 12 September to coincide with R U OK?Day, a national day of action.

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