Friday, September 9th
When asked whether there was a current issue he cared deeply about, fellow RMIT student Hugh *** notified me that yesterday was R U OK? Day.
Knowing people who suffer from mental illnesses, Hugh is glad for the awareness R U OK? Day raises. He is also relieved for the support services such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue and the easy access we now have to them.
“Stuff like anxiety and depression is always sort of kept on the inside of people,” Hugh said.
“They feel like they’re gonna be shamed if they come out about it and talk about it.”
It was only after speaking to Hugh that I found out R U OK? is actually a suicide-prevention organisation and not just a special day marked on the calendar.
R U OK? Day is held annually to remind families, friends and peers to ask one another, “Are you okay?”
Elizabeth Pillidge 