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Today is “R U OK? Day", Australia's national day of action to prevent suicide by encouraging people to start conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
Please take a moment to think about who in your life might be struggling.
Some signs that someone is experiencing a period of depression include:
- Changes in physical appearance: for example, looking more tired than usual, eating more or less than usual
- Changes in mood: for example, seeming more irritable, appearing more anxious
- Changes in behaviour: for example, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating
- Changes in how thoughts are expressed: for example, struggling to see a positive side, saying things that sound more confused
Before starting a conversation, make sure you’re in the right headspace to support someone. If you don’t feel ready or think you’re not the best person for the conversation, try to think of someone else in their support network who could talk to them.
If you're ready to have a conversation, think about a good place to ask that is relatively private and comfortable.
Keep in mind the 4 step model for a meaningful conversation, with the acronym ALEC.
You can start by letting them know about your concerns, for example: “You don’t seem yourself lately – want to talk about it?” If they seem uncertain, it's ok to directly ask if they are experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts.
Step 2 is ‘Listen’. Don’t be afraid to sit in silence and give the person some space and quiet so they can find the words to express what they’re going through.
Step 3 is ‘Encourage action’. Once they’ve shared what they’re going through, you might suggest they think about a small step they can take to improve their situation. You don’t have to have the answers or be able to offer professional health advice, but you can help them consider the next steps and actions they can take to manage their situation.
After the conversation, it’s important to keep checking in. You can make a joint decision to get back in touch so you can see how they’re going.
When you check in you could:
- Lock in a regular catch up and one-on-one time.
- Ask them about activities they like to do and help them make plans to do them or arrange to do them together.
- Organise group catch-ups to help them connect with others.
Thank you for reading and thank you for supporting each other with meaningful conversations ❤️
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