R U OK? Day

GO_NadZ_xO

Today, In Australia is national R U OK? Day.

R U OK?Day is a national day of action dedicated to encouraging all Australians to ask family, friends and colleagues ‘Are you ok?’ It’s on the second Thursday of September (13 September 2012).

Connection and open, honest conversations are good for our wellbeing – whether or not we’re struggling with a problem. It helps us to feel valued and supported by the people around us. There's also an emerging body of research which links supportive social relationships and a sense of social connection with protective factors in suicide prevention.

We want to stop little problems becoming bigger by encouraging all people to help each other through life’s ups and downs. We all experience relationship problems, financial difficulties, stress, illness and death and we can all benefit from the support of those around us.

While we do deliberately target specific groups (including youth, older males, regional and rural communities, Indigenous Australians, people with mental illness and people who are bereaved), we are a universal suicide prevention intervention. This means we invite all people, of all ages, of all backgrounds to take part and to help one another access support before problems escalate to a crisis.

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

So my inbox is open, R U OK?