The Geelong and Bellarine communities are being asked to check in with friends, family and colleagues ahead of RUOK? Day.
The National Day of Action will be held on Thursday, September 11, to inspire people to have regular conversations that can help change lives.
Point Lonsdale’s Natalie Woodfull became a community ambassador following her journey with anxiety and clinical depression, and said that any day could be an RUOK? Day.
“I’d been struggling with mental health, depression and anxiety for a few years leading into 2020, and it was the week that we went into lockdown when I was admitted to the Geelong psychiatric clinic,” she said.
“It was off the back of some struggles with work and being divorced from my children’s father, and what really kick-started my mental health decline was that my son was being bullied at school at the time.
“I felt that being his mum meant that I was supposed to have all the answers and take his pain away and fix him, but I couldn’t actually impact that particular situation and that really got the better of me.”
Ms Woodfull said her advice to anyone who may be struggling with their mental health was to know that they were not alone and to make the brave first step of asking for help.
“We can feel very isolated, disconnected, alone and that no one will understand, but there are so many support mechanisms available,” she said.
“It’s important that we find that person, whether it’s someone known or someone completely unique and unrelated to us, where we can find that safe space to have a conversation.”
Ms Woodfull said people asking the question of RUOK? should follow the acronym ALEC, which stands for asking, listening, encouraging the person to seek support, and checking in.
