R U OK?

Suicide and mental health are issues close to my heart. My father took his life after suffering depression. I have suffered bouts of depression through my teenage and adult years and experienced mild Post Natal Depression soon after my son was born. I have friends who have suffered depression. I follow the work of Black Dog Institute and beyondblue and have always thought that there needed to be a foundation that was current, relevant and dedicated specifically to educating and campaigning against the prevention of suicide, as well as supporting positive mental health. It turns out there is.

R U OK? is an independent, non-profit organisation committed to providing national focus and leadership on suicide prevention. It encourages people to have open and honest conversations to build a more connected community who support each other through life's ups and downs. 

R U OK?Day was launched in Parliament in 2009 and only an estimated 58% of the population know about the national day. I am part of that statistic as I have only just stumbled across the organisation recently, despite doing my research (I know I live on a farm, but that is no excuse...) R U OK?Day is a national day of action to empower people from all walks of life to ask each other R U OK? Despite being a prevalent issue the subject of mental health is still quite taboo and needs more open discussion and exposure. So reach out. Thursday 13 September 2012 is R U OK?Day.