It’s all about one question: Are you OK?
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Griffith proved it was more than willing to ask and answer the question on Tuesday.
Around 70 people from schools, community groups and residents turned up to hear speakers from the R U OK Convoy and examine their and their mates need for help.
Charlotte-Jayne McDonald, John Samuelu-Kirby and Anna Langi, students from Griffith Public School, found many messages resonated with them.
“I think RUOK day is a special day because it’s a day where you can reflect on people, you can ask them if you're OK, and it’s good to ask because you never know what they might be going through, or any questions to see if they are OK or not,” John said.
“I really enjoyed hearing people talk about their childhood, and it’s OK to ask are you OK?” Ana said.
“If you are feeling down, use your voice and go talk to someone. It’s also OK to ask for help,” Charlotte-Jayne said.
“It’s very important for kids like us to know there are places out there that we can go to.”
The Convoy rolled into Griffith on where the R U OK? team were joined by James Van Cooper along with local representatives from The Way Back Support Service, Lifespan and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program will also attend the event.
Campaign coordinator Katherine Newton said the response from the Griffith community was amazing.
“It’s been fantastic - what a great community!” she said.
“I am really impressed with the range of people - schools kids, primary and high school, all walks of life, and we know how important that is, because are you OK is a question for everyday and all the time.”
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Included in the morning was a BBQ, tea station, children’s activities and interactive ways to learn the four steps to ask R U OK?
In its 10th year, R U OK? has found that Australians need to get more comfortable asking the question, R U OK?, not just one day a year but every time we recognise the signs that someone we care about might be struggling with life.
The R U OK? Conversation Convoy will continue making its way around NSW and the ACT, visiting Canberra before culminating in Sydney for the tenth R U OK? Day on Thursday 13 September.
Sometimes, conversations can become too big for family and friends alone. There is support and tools that can help: www.ruok.org.au/findhelp.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
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