R U OK?

It’s the second Thursday of September again, so the question of the day is, of course, “Are you okay?” This national day of action aims to end suicide by encouraging people to support one another and to be aware of their friends’ and acquaintances’wellbeing. It involves both asking the question to increase awareness and provide an opportunity for people to say no and donating to the R U OK? Foundation to help fund a range of suicide prevention programs and activities.

 

No one should feel like suicide is their only option or like they have nobody to talk to. Take today as an opportunity to genuinely ask your friends and family if they’re okay. 2200 Australians commit suicide every year; that’s 2200 Australians who might have been able to be helped if the people around them had been aware of what they were going through and had been equipped to help them through it.

 

If you would like to donate, you can do so at http://www.givenow.com.au/ruokday (donations are tax deductible). Also, my school’s SRC (I assume) organises collecting donations each year; if you feel passionate about this cause and your school does not currently have such a system in place, I would encourage you to look into discussing it with your teachers or student representatives. It is a really great way of raising awareness and funds while promoting a sense of communal support for those who are contemplating suicide or those whose family members have resorted to this in the past. This doesn't have to just be an Australian thing either. Even if you're not Australian, you can still get involved by asking people that you see or talk to how they are feeling and genuinely listening to their response. It's so easy to say, "Hey, are you okay?" then to not really listen to what they have to say. Let today be a reminder to actually listen and pay attention to what they're saying and to support them if they need it.

 

I must admit that I kind of love my country for having something like this.

 

More information: http://www.ruokday.com/

 

So...are you okay?