MEMBER’S STATEMENT

 

R U OK DAY

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CANBERRA

 

THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2015

 

 

*** CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY ***

 

 

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day – and  R U OK day.
It is a time when we encourage all Australians to reach out to a friend, a family member, a colleague and ask a simple question:


Are you OK?

 

Mr Deputy Speaker, around 400,000 Australians think about taking their own life each year.
2,500 deaths by suicide occur in our country each year.
And suicide is the number one cause of death for Australians aged between 15 and 44.
It takes a devastating toll on communities in rural and regional Australia.
But mental health, depression or anxiety can affect any one of us.
All of us have known, loved and mourned someone who has taken their own life.
And so often these deaths come as a complete shock to even the closest of friends and family members.
We say to each other that ‘we could never have guessed’ that there was no way to know.

 

But there is, actually – just ask.

 

Mr Deputy Speaker, taking the time to listen.
Asking a simple question.
Showing someone you care.
Showing someone they are not on their own.
Could change a life.
It could even save a life.
So, not just today - but each and every day – ask someone:


Are you OK.

 

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT – 02 6277 4053