Premium Content:

R U OK? Day Puts the Focus on Mental Health

yay-5265112

This week’s focus on mental health and wellbeing continues with R U OK? Day.

- Advertisement -

R U OK? is a not for profit organisation that aims to encourage Australians to ask those who may be struggling, ‘are you okay?’.

R U OK? Day is on the second Thursday of every September, and serves as a reminder to foster meaningful face to face conversations with one another so that we can build stronger relationships and support networks for when times are tough.

Yesterday, WA’s Minister for Mental Health, Disability Services and Child Protection Helen Morton announced that the state would be funding two suicide prevention initiatives.

Greens Member for the South Metropolitan Region Lynn MacLaren commented on the state’s requirement to focus energy on groups who may be more at risk of mental distress:

“It is great to see action being taken on the issue, but more needs to be done for high-risk groups, particularly LGBTI youth.

“This time last year I introduced a motion that called for MPs to publicise suicide prevention programmes among their constituents, acknowledge the risk factors people face in their regions and actively support non-government and government programmes to prevent suicide.”

To get involved in R U OK? Day, visit the R U OK? website to learn more about fostering meaningful conversations.

If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 44, or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Sophie Joske

Image: YAY! Media

Latest

Polari Prize longlist announced but authors launch protest action over inclusion of John Boyne

Authors and judges have complained saying Boyne's statements about trans people should have excluded him from consideration.

US revokes approved early retirement of trans service members, removing their benefits

In January when US President Donald Trump returned to...

LGBTIQ+ groups join forces to denounce discrimination against trans women

"We reject damaging public narratives that seek to divide us and deny the long and connected history of our movement for equality and justice."

Rising star Georgina Hopson takes the lead in ‘Anastasia’ musical

The hit Broadway musical will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Polari Prize longlist announced but authors launch protest action over inclusion of John Boyne

Authors and judges have complained saying Boyne's statements about trans people should have excluded him from consideration.

US revokes approved early retirement of trans service members, removing their benefits

In January when US President Donald Trump returned to...

LGBTIQ+ groups join forces to denounce discrimination against trans women

"We reject damaging public narratives that seek to divide us and deny the long and connected history of our movement for equality and justice."

Rising star Georgina Hopson takes the lead in ‘Anastasia’ musical

The hit Broadway musical will have its Australian premiere at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne before touring to Perth and Sydney in 2026.

Join Dyan Tai for a unique afternoon of music, creativity and community

Midland-based LGBTIQA+ group Our Place is bringing queer pop sensation Dyan Tai to the west coast for a very special youth event.

Polari Prize longlist announced but authors launch protest action over inclusion of John Boyne

Authors and judges have complained saying Boyne's statements about trans people should have excluded him from consideration.

US revokes approved early retirement of trans service members, removing their benefits

In January when US President Donald Trump returned to power he issued an executive order saying that transgender personnel serving in the armed forces...

LGBTIQ+ groups join forces to denounce discrimination against trans women

"We reject damaging public narratives that seek to divide us and deny the long and connected history of our movement for equality and justice."