In the lead up to this year's R U O K Day?, the team behind the suicide prevention group is undertaking a mammoth tour of the country, visiting every state and territory on its Trust the Signs Tour.
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Before the September event the tour will visit communities to demonstrate when and how to ask R U O K?
And, this year Forster-Tuncurry has been selected one of the 24 communities on the journey.
Trust the Signs is all about trusting your gut instinct when it comes to questioning mental health in a friend, colleague or family member.
Local mental health and suicide prevention services support tour events along the way to further assist with localised information and support.
The MidCoast Council community strengthening team is keen to encourage plenty of locals to attend the free event, which will be held outside Forster council chambers this Thursday, July 11 from 12:30-2pm, to educate, spark conversations and break the stigma attached to talking openly about mental health.
Deputy mayor Katheryn Smith will attend the event, along with council staff and local service providers.
It's wonderful to see mental health continue to gain exposure and it's activities like this that raise awareness and help people in need seek support from others, sparking important, life-saving conversations.
- Lyndie Hepple
There will be food available, hands on activities for all ages and an opportunity to learn more about when it's time to ask R U OK?
"We're delighted to be welcoming the Trust the Signs Tour to Forster and proud to support the important work of the R U OK? Team," MidCoast Council community strengthening co-ordinator, Lyndie Hepple said.
"It's wonderful to see mental health continue to gain exposure and it's activities like this that raise awareness and help people in need seek support from others, sparking important, life-saving conversations."
The focus of the education behind this tour is the four steps to navigate a conversation with someone you're worried about and identifying the signs: What are they saying? What are they doing? What's going on in their life?.
"Statistics show that everyone will be affected personally, or know someone who is affected by mental health issues," Ms Hepple said.
"We need more campaigns and initiatives like this to continue to see positive changes, and to throw as much support as we can behind people who need it most."
For further information about the tour and RUOK? head to the website here.
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