A lot can happen in a year, a month, or even a week. Bereavement, separation, job loss, cost-of-living-pressures, and loneliness are just a few challenging life events that have the potential to cause stress and influence a broad range of mental health conditions.
No one is immune to stress or mental health problems, and more than half of Australians experience a stressful time at least once a year.
However, this doesn’t mean everyone should work through their deep personal stress silently and on their own.
While millions of Australians will ask the question to their friends, family, or colleagues today, AnglicareSA encourages everyone to ask, “Are you okay?” any day of the year, because life happens every day.
AnglicareSA Suicide Prevention Services Coordinator, Lee Boulger, said we all had a role to play in changing the stigma of mental health, and regularly checking in with your mates, loved ones, or colleagues was a good start.
“Stigma around mental health is still a massive barrier to people engaging in conversations and seeking support.”
“It’s okay to ask people how they are doing.
“If someone has overcome that barrier and shared with you, it speaks to the comfort, safety, and trust they feel.”
How can you start the conversation?
It can be difficult to know what to say to someone going through life’s ups and downs, which is why Lee shared the following tips:
Sometimes, someone’s problems might be too big or complex for you to handle on your own.
Lee said in these situations, it was best to encourage the person to seek help or link them with a health professional.
After the conversation
Lee said talking about mental health didn’t stop after the initial conversation and encouraged everyone to regularly check in with their loved ones, especially on significant days and anniversaries that might cause them distress.
“Father’s Day, Christmas, New Year’s, and National Sorry Day are important days that can be tough or traumatic for some people.”
“Be aware of that and ask the person how they are feeling and what they are going to do for themselves in the lead up to the day and afterwards. Ask them if you can support them.
“Checking in with the person is recognising that it might have been difficult for them to share their mental health and overcome potential feelings of shame, guilt, anger, or anger.”
If you need support
AnglicareSA has a range of mental health support services available for individuals who have had a recent suicide attempt or have been bereaved through suicide.
It is important to note that AnglicareSA’s suicide support services are not crisis services.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please contact:
