R U OK?

📣 An important public service announcement from the R U OK? team for International Day of Happiness.

Content warning: This post mentions suicide. On Christmas eve, 24-year-old Will was wearing a hat and sunscreen. He said to his Mum, Pauline, that he was exhausted but didn't mention anything about his headspace. That was the last conversation Pauline had with her son. He took his life on Christmas Day in 2015. Will was a popular local football player with a thriving business as an electrician. He had close mates and a family who loved him. Pauline couldn't understand what happened and felt an immense amount of guilt. She asked a psychologist why someone who was struggling would protect themselves from the sun that very day. He replied, 'you taught him that'. It was this conversation that led to the creation of Pauline and her husband's local charity, Where There’s A Will. Located in Upper Hunter Region, they focus on building young people and community resilience by educating young people early on about mental wellbeing, as well as their parents, teachers and other touchpoints. Pauline believes it takes a village to keep someone safe from suicide, which is why we all need to know the signs and how to have a supportive conversation. Read her full story 👉 https://lnkd.in/gN6dgGrB Upper Hunter Where there's a Will

March 17-23 is #NeurodiversityCelebrationWeek! It’s a time to recognise and celebrate the unique strengths and perspectives of neurodivergent people. Neurodivergence is a word that describes people whose brain is thought to work differently to typical (neurotypical) people. Some common forms of neurodivergence include: - Autism - ADHD - Tourette Syndrome - Dyslexia - Dyscalculia - Dysgraphia and Dyspraxia - Developmental Coordination Disorder Not everyone takes on information in the same way, which is why it's important for all of us to be aware of who we are chatting with and think about the best way for us to make them feel heard and supported. Working alongside the Suicide Response Project, we’ve developed resources on how to have an R U OK? conversation with your neurodivergent friends, family members and colleagues who might be struggling with life's ups and downs. Learn more and access them at https://bit.ly/43U3s6S #Neurodiversity #Neurodivergent #Autism #ADHD #Dyslexia #ASD #OCD #Tourette #NCW #ThisIsND School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University Darren Hedley

Find ways to make checking in with your people a regular thing. Some ideas: 🚶♂️Walk to transport together after work ☕Grab a coffee before/ after an event or hobby 📞Schedule a weekly chat 🥗Have lunch together #ruokanyday

Checking in with someone, and genuinely listening, can make them feel seen and more confident about tackling their challenges. Their sense of self will grow ✨

The difference a compassionate non-judgemental ear can make to someone's situation. ✏️@newhappyco

Every day felt the same for Vicki. She started work early, finished late, and never seemed to get to the bottom of her inbox, emails or meetings. By the time she got home she couldn't concentrate on conversations with her husband. It felt like she was moving through the motions and not enjoying life. Vicki thought it was normal. Just a 'busy period' that would eventually end. That's until she went to the medical centre for something unrelated and her doctor took one look at her and asked "are you OK?". Vicki hadn't had someone be so direct before. It made her pause and then suddenly found herself crying and saying "actually no I'm not". What happened to be a chance appointment turned into a timely and much-needed conversation. Vicki was burnt out and didn't realise how much it had been affecting her until she opened up. Read her full story 👉 https://lnkd.in/gMJqAmNU

The Audi Australia Foundation prize draw is back. Buy a ticket for your chance to win an Audi RS 6 Avant Performance in Nardo Grey, valued at $301,709 (drive away).   All funds raised will support R U OK? and other Australian charities. Tickets are $55 and will be drawn on Wednesday 16 April 2025 15:00 (AEST).   You can enter at: https://lnkd.in/gbi3qXZ

1️⃣Trust your gut 2️⃣Start a conversation 3️⃣Listen without judgement #ruokanyday

Tackling life's challenges on your own can feel impossible. Giving someone the space to talk about things, can help them work through and see a way ahead. #ruokanyday