Start the conversation this R U OK? Day
MENTAL HEALTH
R U OK? Day, is a national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” if someone in your world is struggling with life’s ups and downs.
And LiveLife Pharmacy Macrossan Street will be embracing what has now become a significant event on Thursday, September 10.
LiveLife Pharmacist and organiser, Holly Toshach, said the pharmacy will be holding a "Wear Yellow Day" in recognition of R U OK? Day; and all staff will be wearing a yellow shirt.
“We will be giving out ‘care packages’ with information on how to seek help, goodies such as lollies and mental health advice. The aim for the event is to ‘start the conversation’.
“We are just creating an open space for people to reach out if need be and taking any opportunity to teach people how to recognise when people are not ok and how to get help,” she said.
Ms Toshach added that 2020 has been an especially hard year for everyone.
“In light of this, we are holding an R U OK? Day to start the conversation around an extremely important issue: mental health.
“Our aim is to destigmatise mental health and create a comfortable environment for people to talk if you are, in fact, NOT OK.
“Our pharmacists are trained in Mental Health First Aid and encourage people to come in to ask questions on how to support others as well as themselves.
“We will be providing information on where and when to get help, care packages and an ear to listen. No problem is too much if it is a shared problem.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available at your local pharmacy or Doctors or contact:
Beyond Blue (24/7) 1300 224 636 - beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline (24/7 ) 13 11 14 - lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service (24/7) 1300 659 467 - suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Kids Helpline (24/7) 1800 55 1800 - kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine (24/7) 1300 78 99 78 - mensline.org.au
More contacts - ruok.org.au/findhelp