A CAMPAIGN led by a national suicide prevention charity is urging all Australians to trust the signs and their gut feeling to ask their loved ones if they are okay.
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R U OK? is taking its Trust the Signs, Trust Your Gut and Ask R U OK tour to 24 communities across 14,000 kilometres - to every state and territory - across Australia to educate individuals about mental health and how to navigate a conversation with somebody they are worried about.
The tour, which will stop at Daylesford this Sunday, is a step to increase people's confidence based on research that the charity undertook earlier in 2019.
The research revealed that 63 per cent of participants were not confident that they knew the signs that somebody might be struggling with life while 41 per cent had not asked somebody if they were okay because they weren't sure they knew the signs.
However, more positively, 49 per cent of participants indicated they would be more confident in starting a conversation if they knew the signs to look out for.
R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton said the charity was working to help to raise awareness about the signs somebody may be struggling with everyday life.
For example, a person saying they are a burden to others, withdrawing, experiencing extreme mood swings, grief, a relationship breakdown, job loss or financial struggles may indicate that a person needs some extra support.
Ms Newton said R U OK? was working to normalise talking about life's ups and downs and to inspire people to reach out and ask others if they're okay in an effort to reduce the stigma around mental health.
""We know the majority of Australians believe talking to someone who's struggling can make a difference. But what we're hearing, is that people aren't sure when is the right time to have an R U OK? conversation," she said.
We want to empower people to trust their gut instinct and ask the question as soon as they spot the signs that someone might be struggling with life.
- Katherine Newton
The towns and cities were chosen through expressions of interest throughout the year.
The R U OK? crew will be at the Daylesford Sunday Railway from 9am to 1pm market in a big yellow tent this Sunday.
There will be free food and drink on offer with team members available to talk with people about how best to navigate a conversation with somebody they are worried about.
Each stop has included participation from mental health, volunteer and suicide prevention organisations from each community to highlight the support services available if a conversation is too overwhelming for just family and friends.
Local service provider - Western Victoria public health network - will be in attendance to represent local service providers.
The tour will end in Sydney on national R U OK? Day on September 12.
Lifeline is available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14.
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