R U OK? Conversation Convoy Rolls on to Parliament House Lawns in Hobart

The Convoy is promoting their 4 Steps to a conversation initiative in every community they pass through; those four steps being Ask, Listen, Encourage action and Check in.

The R U OK? team set up on the lawns of Parliament House in Hobart and CEO Brendan Maher introduced the Hon. Elise Archer MP who applauded the team for the work they were doing and reiterated the need for continued efforts around improved mental health support in Tasmania.

“If we check in regularly and have meaningful conversations we can literally change lives.”

Federal Labour member for Franklin, and Federal Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Julie Collins attended the event and said, “We need to continue to raise awareness and have these important conversations and encourage people to reach out for help more often.”

Tasmanian MLC Shadow Minister for Mental Health Sarah Lovell participated in a Q&A with R U OK? CEO Brendan Maher.

The event was supported by other mental health providers like Hobart headspace, Lions Club of Clarence City, SPEAK UP!/Stay ChatTY founder Mitch McPherson who also spoke about the synergies between his organisation and R U OK? ethos.

R U OK? also visited the Hobart suburb of Glenorchy for a second community event hosted by Glenorchy City Council.

CEO Brendan Maher introduced R U OK? ambassador and actor Steve Bastoni who gave a heartfelt talk about why all of us - but in particular men - need to reach out more.

Bastoni shared how the loss of a mate while in his early 20s impacted him and has made him determined to reach out and help anyone who might be struggling with life or battling with addiction.

“We as Aussie men are always told to suck it up, toughen up or harden up like concrete,” he said.

“But concrete cracks and so do we when we hold things in. We are social creatures, we are meant to be around other people and support them during hard times.

“Checking in and supporting mates is what we need to do more of and there’s no shame in asking for and seeking out help.”

The Conversation Convoy wraps up on R U OK?Day, 14 September in Cairns, Queensland, with ‘R U OK? Rocks Cairns’- a concert featuring R U OK? ambassadors Ben Lee, Travis Collins, Louise Adams, Big T, Tullara Connors, Steven Oliver and Aya Larkin (Skunkhour).

Head to www.ruok.org.au/conversation-convoy to track the journey or find a local event.

For media enquiries please contact:

Lisa Minner: [email protected] or 0456 475 033

Nicole Warwick: [email protected] or 0412 934 643

Lizzy Thomas: [email protected] or 0400 922 919