R U OK? Day is Australia’s national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to ask, “Are you OK?”

The yearly reminder is not just for that day, but for every day of the year – to support people who may be struggling with life’s ups and downs.

This year, Kiama is playing host to an RUOK Day event, organised by a group working hard to improve the situation across our region.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative is made up of over 40 local organisations from across health, education, community, local media, police, ambulance, employment agencies, Aboriginal organisations, local councils, and transport agencies.

“There are also countless people from the community involved, including people with lived experience of suicide who are generously sharing their experience to help inform and drive our work,” says the Project Coordinator Emma Paterson.

In 2017, the Collaborative adopted the Black Dog Institute’s LifeSpan project – an evidence-based, integrated approach to suicide prevention, with a community-led approach.

“Our RUOK? Day event aims to highlight all of the work that is being done to prevent suicide across the region,” says Ms Paterson.

“We will be releasing our first Report Card, and showing some short videos of local people with lived experience sharing messages of hope and recovery.

There will also be information stalls about different projects, art performances and a Q&A session.

“We’re hoping to get as many people from the community there as possible so we can let them know about the work being done locally to help prevent suicide and how they can get involved.”

Details: Thurs 12 Sept, Kiama Pavilion, 8.30-10.30am. RSVP to suicideprevention@coordinaire.org.au by
Fri 6 Sep