R U OK? calls on Charters Towers to Trust the Signs

The nationwide R U OK? ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ visited Charters Towers yesterday joined by Mayor Cr Liz Schmidt, R U OK? Community Ambassador Kevin Heath and local mental health support services.

Cr Schmidt welcomed the community to the School of Distance Education where students had gathered along with members of the community.

“We all have things happening in our lives, sometimes good and sometimes not so good. It’s important for all of us to recognise the signs when someone may be struggling with something in life,” said Cr Schmidt.

“When we spot these signs it’s important to ask the question R U OK?, or as my grandson says ‘Granny are you right mate?’ or ‘hey mate, all good?’. It’s a simple way to check in on your mates which can lead to a chat about life and what they might be struggling with.

“The simple question ‘are you ok?’ is an important one for all of us.”

The suicide prevention charity inspires and empowers all Australians to meaningfully connect with the people around them and particularly targets some of Australia’s more 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.

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 nationwide.

Having previously stopped in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gympie, Mundubbera, the Tour will now cross the border in to the Northern Territory. In total, the Tour is travelling 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. 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.

The Charters Towers community heard from R U OK? Community Ambassador Kevin Heath. Kevin is a former football player who had to give the game away due to injury. In addition to his day job as an Aboriginal sexual health promotion officer with NSW Health, he runs the Dream Time Academy, where he mentors young athletes in things ranging from goal-setting to rugby league training.

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, Steve Bastoni 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: www.ruok.org.au

For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.