R U OK Day

Next Thursday the 15th of September is R U OK day. The initiative has been going for two years and aims to prevent suicide by encouraging people to ask someone they care about whether they are OK.

The initiative acknowledges that connectedness is an important factor in preventing suicide and believes that striking up conversation has the potential to save lives.

For more information about R U OK day you can visit their website which has lots of resources including videos as well as tips for how to ask someone if they are OK

World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day. This day has been held every year since 2003 to raise community awareness about the issue of suicide prevention. This year the day has the theme of "Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies"

On the day events are held around Australia and the world to help raise awareness. One key event is the Out of the Shadows walks that "raise awareness about suicide, remember those lost to suicide and advocate for a united and committed effort to prevent further deaths by suicide". In Victoria walks will be held in the Fitzroy Gardens and also in Ballarat. If you would like to participate or find out more you can check out the Out of the Shadow Website

For more information about World Suicide Prevention Day and for resources to assist with suicide prevention visit www.wspd.org.au