Regardless of where we live, or who our mob is, we can all go through tough times, times when we don’t feel great about our lives or ourselves. That’s why it’s important to always be looking out for each other.
If someone you know – a family member, someone from your community, a friend, neighbour, or workmate – is doing it tough, they won’t always tell you. Sometimes it’s up to us to trust our gut instinct and ask someone who may be struggling with life “are you OK?” in our own way.
When we ask someone "are you OK?" in our own way we can help those we care about open up about how they're feeling and show they're supported, which can help stop them from feeling worse over time.
Thursday 9 September is R U OK? Day and there are a range of free resources available at www.ruok.org.au including a conversation guide, podcast series, videos, and more.
Support is available through Kalwun’s Social Health Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people suffering from mental health illness and/or substance misuse disorders. The program offers case management and care coordination support and works to improve the social and emotional wellbeing of individuals and reduce the harm associated with social and emotional wellbeing, suicide ideation/attempts and alcohol and other drug (AoD) use.
The program aims to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for our people suffering from these illnesses and empower them through joint decision making and recovery-orientated practice. It also works to reduce potentially preventable hospitalisation and encourage access to more appropriate use of existing mental health and AoD resources.
Access to this program can be by self-referral, GP referral or family/friend referral among other referral pathways. Complete the Social Health Referral Form and email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information on the Social Health Program, call the team on 5526 1112.
