R U OK? Day, Australia’s national day of action for suicide prevention, on Thursday 10 September was marked in Woolgoolga with a gathering of people in the community wearing yellow and black.
The charity’s local ambassador Lisa Nichols drew the people in to create a big human smiley face on the village’s Beach Reserve.
The chilly morning, with a south-easterly wind and high tide, attracted around 50 people standing side-by-side in a half circle in a wobbly smiley face shape photographed from above by a drone.
Speaking at the gathering Ms Nichols said the day could be triggering for some people and a fabulous day for others.
In acknowledging those who had lived experience of suicide and attempted suicide, Ms Nichols shared her experience.
“When I was 25, I knew mum was struggling, I knew there was something wrong but I wasn’t game enough to ask her what’s the matter, and ask ‘are you ok’,” she said.
She was afraid to open the conversation because after asking, she didn’t know what to do next.
“So that’s been my passion, after she died, I decided to learn about mental health and what suicide is all about.
“It took me a long time (from the 1980s) to get to this level of being able to help other people.”
Her community outreach began around 2012 with the first Lifeline Out of the Shadows Walk, which graduated into R U OK? Day.
She also introduced Fluoro Friday to Woolgoolga, which will celebrate its 10th birthday in October, bringing awareness of mental health and loneliness to the community.
“We’re really trying to combat loneliness; loneliness is worse for your health than half a packet of cigarettes a day,” she said.
“It’s a slow killer.”
The weekly gathering offers comradeship, an anti-bad-vibes circle, and activities including yoga.
“We’re about to introduce free surf lessons.”
Circulating at the gathering were take-away cards with the R U OK? acronym ALEC standing for Ask R U OK?, Listen, Encourage action and Check in.
“Ask the questions, listen with intent, encourage them to go to the doctor and get a referral to a practitioner in mental health and then, the one that saves most lives, check in,” Ms Nichols said.
“You’ve had your conversation but keep checking in on them the next day, the next week, the next month, ongoing … it makes a big difference.”
Wildflower Reverie local farmers in Bucca brought sunflowers, with donations made going to R U OK? charity.
If you or someone you know is in immediate distress, free 24/7 Australian support is available through Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636). Call Triple Zero (000) if life is in danger.
By Andrea FERRARI
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