ORGANISATIONS in Swan Hill yesterday brought focus to the question: R U OK?
But Swan Hill Neighbourhood House joint manager Sarina Kelly said the question should be asked every day, not just on R U OK? Day when Australians are prompted to have conversations with others.
“I hope today will remind people that they’re not alone,” Ms Kelly said.
“There’s opportunity for people to have a social connection at neighbourhood houses, and I hope people who don’t have that many social outlets can come here and be asked ‘are you okay?’
“Just asking that question gives people the tools on how to approach difficult conversations.
“It’s just about creating that awareness.”
Disability services and support organisation Echuca Discoveries Swan Hill helped make the morning tea which was provided at the Neighbourhood House on Thursday morning in hopes of facilitating conversations about mental health and wellbeing in the community.
SuniTAFE Swan Hill campus also took part in R U OK? Day activities during the students’ morning tea break.
Lyn Andrew is the team leader of student support services at SuniTAFE Swan Hill.
She said R U OK? Day helped remind students about support services available for them every day on campus.
“It’s a great event to check in on our students and see how they’re going, but we also do that on a regular basis,” Ms Andrew said.
“It’s great to remind the students that there are free and confidential services that they can utilise here whenever they need to throughout the year.
“We can provide them with counselling and wellbeing support if they are having a hard time with studies or anything else in their personal life.”
Staff from headspace Swan Hill were also present at the morning tea at SuniTAFE to connect students to free youth mental health support.
