How can we get to zero in Timber Creek?

hello • 9 August 2019

Mental Health Australia Director of External Relations Lachlan Searle recently had the opportunity to join the R U OK? Trust the Signs Tour , driving some 4,500km from Darwin to Perth. Lach’s guest blog below is a clear example of the challenges we all face in advocating for, and delivering, improved services and outreach across the country… especially if we are to ‘get to zero’.

In recent months Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minster for Health Greg Hunt have talked openly about suicide prevention and that they are ‘working towards a zero suicide goal’… and what a great aspiration for the entire nation to have.

So when I joined the R U OK? convoy and stopped off in Timber Creek last week, I started to ask myself the same questions. How can we prevent suicide in this small community? What can we do to help? What are the answers? What needs to change? What will work? What will stop this epidemic? What is culturally appropriate? Why is it happening? Why?

Three hundred people live in Timber Creek in the Northern Territory. It’s an isolated little ‘highway’ town of just a couple of streets, nestled on the Victoria River some 600km from Darwin.

There’s a police station, a school, a modest medical clinic, a roadhouse which doubles as a caravan park for the stream of travellers heading West to Broome, or North to Darwin, and a smattering of houses, and sheds that also house people.

Beyond the tourism and travellers stopping off for a night, or maybe two, to take in the crocodile sightings or a spot of fishing for Barramundi, there’s a serious issue in Timber Creek. A community struggling with the compounding effects and impact of multiple youth suicides.

When the R U OK? Trust the Signs Tour arrived in Timber Creek it looked like nothing more than a petrol station and a caravan park full of people ‘doing a lap’ as they say on the road.

Scratch the surface and when you looked beyond the bowser there was a lot more going on, as we soon found out on meeting the local school principal, who was quick to highlight the serious issue of youth suicide in this community. A school community that is struggling, after four deaths to suicide already this year. A school community with less than 50 students aged five to 18.

That’s right, the numbers are real and when the R U OK? crew stopped in the next morning to talk to the students, it was a powerful message to deliver and one in which every student could potentially relate to.

Enter Kevin Heath, an R U OK? Ambassador and Butchulla man from K’gari (Fraser Island) who was able to sit down with the kids and connect instantly. He talked about how important it is to talk, but also to listen and to ask for help if and when you need it. To look for signs in friends and family, and ask them that simple question ‘are you ok?’

Kev’s impromptu chat and storytelling of his own journey, artistically displayed on his many tattoos, held the kids attention for twenty minutes or more. They were listening and they were looking up to a young role model with a message of hope and healing.

I firmly believe that if Kev could have set up camp in Timber Creek, and stayed there for a year or more, his positive attitude and ability to be role model to young Indigenous kids would have helped that little community ‘get to zero’.

But alas, his skills and ability are needed back home in his work for NSW Health in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, a much bigger community, but a community also aspiring to ‘get to zero’ themselves.

Originally published by Lach Searle, Director of External Relations, Mental Health Australia.

https://mhaustralia.org/newsletters-bulletins/ceo-update-how-can-we-get-zero-timber-creek

Caring for yourself and others following traumatic events

14 December 2025
The recent incident in Sydney has left many feeling distressed and overwhelmed, and you may notice the children in your life are struggling too. Below, you’ll find advice from mental health experts on caring for your own wellbeing, and providing meaningful support to others in the days and weeks ahead. Talking to children about traumatic events Children are likely to have seen and heard distressing information about this incident. Ongoing news coverage, images and discussion can intensify feelings of anxiety, sadness and anger. The Child Mind Institute has published a practical guide to help parents and carers talk with children about traumatic events. The guide offers practical age-specific advice and has been developed by experts in child psychology, you can access this guide here . Events involving violence or serious harm can be especially difficult for children to understand or discuss. The guide focuses on helping children feel safe, supported and reassured, and encourages parents, carers or guardians to: Provide comfort and reassurance, including physical affection Remain calm and measured when discussing the event Maintain regular routines to restore a sense of normality Encourage play, connection and time with others Share honest, age-appropriate information from trusted sources Limit children’s exposure to news, especially younger children Listen patiently and validate children’s feelings Recognise that fear, anger, sadness or guilt are all normal reactions Looking after yourself, and supporting others Rachel Clements, R U OK? Advisor, and Director of Psychological Services at Centre for Corporate Health, said strong emotional reactions are normal and healthy for people of all ages following public acts of violence, even among those not directly impacted. “Some reactions that are incredibly normal are concern, shock, horror, disbelief. When that wears off sometimes, people experience stronger feelings, sometimes anger, despair, sadness, anxiety or fear-based behaviour."  Ms Clements advised that connecting with friends, sporting clubs, or workplace networks, and simply asking ‘are you OK?’, can play a key role in supporting people experiencing distress. "This event will disrupt the nervous system. One of the most important things we can do is stay connected, talk to each other and lean into supportive conversations,” Ms Clements said. She suggested starting a genuine conversation by asking questions such as: 'it's been tough watching this information coming to light, how are you feeling about it?’ “Then, all you’ve got to do is listen with empathy, without judgment or interruption, and just allow someone to talk about their experience and how they are feeling. When it is the right time in the conversation, you can then gently guide someone towards supportive actions, like doing some gentle exercise, staying connected with friends and family, or maintaining regular routines.” Ms Clements emphasised the importance of checking in again to ensure people have continued support. If you notice someone’s distress is ongoing for several weeks and begins to affect their work or social life, professional help should be encouraged. If you or the children in your care are experiencing ongoing distress, consider speaking with a doctor or another trusted healthcare provider. Free and professional 24/7counselling services are available, find contact details here . If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. Ask R U OK? Any Day.

2025 with R U OK?

11 December 2025
This year, Australians continued to grow their confidence and capability to ask, 'are you OK?' any day of the year - reminding us how real connection and meaningful conversations can happen in the most ordinary, everyday moments. Across every age and stage of life, people helped normalise these important check-ins by looking out for one another, reducing stigma, and driving genuine change. Thanks to our supporters, awareness continues to expand in schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, and communities in every corner of Australia. Thank you to everyone who started conversations, and to everyone who supported the mission and work of R U OK?. Below is a short video which shares a glimpse of the activity made possible through collaboration. *Voice-over by former-CEO, Katherine Newton.

Connecting generations through conversation and storytelling

10 December 2025
From growing up on farms to a shared interest in history, Australians, young and old, are discovering just how much they have in common, and how storytelling can connect generations in unexpected ways. What’s bringing them together is 'Heart and Soul Story', a social enterprise that fosters intergenerational connections. Through its programs, young people and older generations come together in aged care homes and schools to share stories, build life skills, and prevent loneliness. At a recent session which encouraged everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day, students visited an aged-care community with R U OK? Conversation Bingo cards, which feature prompts to spark humour, curiosity, and connection.
Show More