RU OK Day, an ongoing conversation

As you may have seen on our social media, we had the privilege of having Mark Hughes come speak to the Bass Floor Newcastle team for RU OK Day 2019. We enjoyed a barbecue breakfast together before giving Mark the floor for our Toolbox meeting.

The Bass Floor team members who were in attendance felt that the morning went really well, and that Mark captivated the audience as he spoke about encouraging resilience and enjoying life. We have spoken to many of our staff over the weeks that have followed, and the general consensus is that the RU OK Day Breakfast was a positive and highly beneficial event.

Suicide and mental health issues have long been ignored by society as problems we don’t want to discuss. RU OK Day aims to break down that stigma and raise much needed awareness. In Australia, there were *3,027 deaths to suicide in 2015, which averages out at 8 per day. For every suicide, there are another 30 attempts. **Several studies on suicide found that those working in mining, construction, farming and many other blue collar occupations were at the highest risk, particularly men.

It’s time to tackle mental health by acknowledging that the struggle is real, and giving those who do struggle an option to talk without fear of judgement. RU OK Day was established to help start the conversation, because a conversation can change a life. The goal is to inspire and empower people to establish meaningful connections with those around them.

At Bass Floor Newcastle, the mental and emotional well-being of our team are a high priority. We’d like to thank Mark Hughes again for his powerful message to our team, and remind everyone that it’s so important to reach out to the people around them, whether at home, within your family and circle of friends, or at work. Check on them. Ask if they are OK? Listen to their responses. Encourage them if they need it, and always check back in. The RU OK Day initiative is about so much more than a single day, it’s an ongoing conversation that can literally save lives.

*Lifeline Australia

**News.com.au – https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/mind/the-deadliest-jobs-in-australia-for-men/news-story/08e329b5572c944dffcecb21ba814976