R U OK Day - follow up

R U OK? Day encourages open and honest discussion around mental health and social isolation and the negative consequences such as suicide. R U OK? Day should not, however, be the only day we encourage conversations that could help others through difficult times. The people you are surrounded by every day, whether they be at work, home or socially, will not always tell you if something is bothering them or they are going through a crisis. This is why it is so important to make asking R U OK?  a part of every- day conversations with those around you.

How did you recognise R U OK? Day? 
At AMA Queensland, we celebrated by having a morning tea which was a great opportunity for us to get together and to start the conversation by asking everyone R U OK? Some really useful information was provided to the team regarding the potential signs to look out for amongst family, friends and work colleagues, that they may be struggling and may need help and support. Some of these signs might be:

How they may think

• talking about suicide or not being around as much
• not interested in personal hygiene or appearance
• difference in social media and other social interactions
• talk negatively about themselves, being worthless or useless

How they may feel

• frustrated
• stressed
• anxious
• angry
• sensitive to feedback
• worried about work
• on edge, restless, irritable
• low mood
• have heart attack like symptoms

How they may act

• have more time off either annual leave or sick
• being sleepy and fatigued
• have trouble concentrating
• late for work or meetings
• acting out of character
• behaving inappropriately
• aggressive or angry
• sit alone and don't interact at break time
• difference in social media interactions
• lack of motivation
• struggle to meet deadlines and complete tasks

This list is by no means exhaustive as everyone is an individual and deals with things in different ways.

If you have not already, you can purchase the Workplace Relations Conversation Pack which was created to support the R U OK? Campaign but is a great tool to be used all year round with the aim of assisting practices with practical tools to normalize mental health conversations. 

As well as recognising the signs, the packs, selling now for $30 also include:

• Instructions to get the most out of the pack
• Conversation Guide – 12 steps to consider when having a group discussion on mental health.
• 1:1 Guide for individual conversations, a checklist, and supportive phrases
• Meeting Kit quick check in activities to incorporate with the conversation guide or for different scenarios such as after an incident. 
• Mental Health Planner to keep the conversation alive throughout the year we have highlighted mental health awareness day/s each month.
• Resource Guide resources to support yourself and your employees

Purchase a R U OK Conversation Pack
Or you can contact us via phone (07) 3872 2222 or email support workplacerelations@amaq.com.au.