R U OK?

“In the time it takes to have your coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life. 

On R U OK?Day, who will you ask?"

Gavin Larkin, Founder R U OK?

From RUOK? website: Thursday 15 September, 2011 is R U OK?Day. It’s a national day of action which aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones.

Despite the increase in public awareness of mental health & depression, it's still not something that is talked about enough. Too many people suffer without the support of family or friends, and in many cases, despite awareness campaigns, still don't know where to look for help.

I doubt there's anyone who doesn't know somebody suffering from depression. That is, if it's not themselves. I think I know more people affected by it, directly or indirectly, than those who aren't. I was diagnosed with post-natal depression after the birth of each of my kids. I've been lucky compared to so many others, having a GP I trusted without question who picked it up even before I realised something was wrong.

Often all a person needs is to know that someone will listen, that someone cares. That's part of what R U OK?Day is about. Ask someone you are worried about if they are really OK. But be prepared to deal with the answer. If you are the person being asked, be honest. Speak up and be truthful. The R U OK?Day website has some tips on the best way to go about asking someone. The organisation is also on Twitter and Facebook.

So on September 15, ask someone if they're OK. If someone asks you and you're not OK, tell them. They care, and they want to help you.

Thanks to Lori at Random Ramblings of a SAHM, whose own posts prompted me to blog about this.