Ask the question – and save a life on RU OK Day 2022

It’s the day we’re all encourage to ask each other if they R OK, a simple query which may make all the difference to somebody who is struggling. The work RU OK Day does is just the tip of the iceberg, with efforts focused on building the motivation, confidence and skills of the help-giver – the person who may have a meaningful conversation with somebody who is struggling with life. Contributing to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their interpersonal relationships and reducing the stigma around asking for help has elevated RU OK Day into one of the most visible and important on the Not For Profit annual calendar.

Despite this undoubted positive increase in awareness around mental health issues, WA’s NFPs are still inundated with requests for support, all year round. RU OK Day however gives them the chance to highlight the services they can offer. To mark the day, here are just a few initiatives and campaigns NFPs are continually finessing and offering to all those who may need assistance.

Cries for help on the rise

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the rate of mental health issues is substantially higher among people with a history of homelessness (54%) compared to the general population (19%). It is a statistic not surprising to St Bart's, which received 327 enquiries for its Mental Health Supported Accommodation in 2021/22.

St Bart's provides short to long-term supported accommodation for adults with persistent mental health challenges who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

It is here where residents receive a level of support to match their recovery journey, offering onsite or outreach support that they wouldn’t get in other forms of housing. Not only do these accommodations reduce the strain on the mental health system and stop bed blocking hospitals, they also enable people to transition from hospital back into the community, giving them somewhere to rebuild and decide what is the best option for them.

As Manager of St Bart's Community Recovery Village in Middle Swan, as well as undertaking the role of St Bart's Recovery Consultant, Wanda Davies says that for real change to happen, one needs to change the way we support and offer options to empower the people in our community who are living with a mental health diagnosis.

“Trauma-informed awareness says what we acknowledge about a person first is that, quite often, people have had experiences which are traumatic and we offer a safe environment for the person to heal,” Ms Davies said.

“We focus on the details of where this person is right now in their life and what support they think they need. Quite often people can’t tell you what they need because no one has ever asked them.”

The sector within which St Bart's operates certainly comes with its challenges at the best of times, and the globally felt struggles of the last few years have been a particular test. However, St Bart’s Chief Executive Officer Samantha Drury says the drive to do something that can turn someone’s life around for the better is a unique point of difference that an NFP such as St Bart's can provide to attract and retain employees.

“The compassion for the people we support, coupled with the solidarity that comes with working together to enable our consumers to achieve their goals, continues to reward our staff every day,” Ms Drury said.

Awareness days such as RUOK Day provide a valuable opportunity for NFPs to highlight the importance of mental health. For St Bart's, the focus is on the mental health of people in the community who are vulnerable, and it is what formed the backbone of the organisation’s inaugural Say G’day campaign in 2021.

People sleeping rough often suffer feelings of invisibility, largely due to the fact that people passing by do not acknowledge them. St Bart's has heard countless stories of people’s feelings of worthlessness when members of the public avert their gaze, cross the street and make imaginary phone calls in an attempt to avoid contact with them.

Celebrated annually in October, the St Bart's Say G’day campaign encourages members of the public to think about what their initial reaction is when they see a person living on the street and how that reaction may impact the mental health and wellbeing of people when they are already down.

Prevention is better than cure

Community services organisations, such as Anglicare WA, provide important support to West Australians experiencing challenges with their mental health. These services help at various points of a person’s mental health journey: from preventative initiatives which support wellbeing through to clinical and treatment programs for those with more significant mental ill-health.

It’s also helpful to look at individual mental wellbeing as part of a wider social context, believes Anglicare WA Services Director, Philippa Boldy.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lock-downs and social isolation reinforced the importance of human connection and community cohesion for people’s mental health,” she said.

“Anglicare WA is focused on building links between our local staff in each area in which we work, and supporting communities - through events, forums and activities. Corporate organisations are also placing increased importance on the mental health of their employees, by engaging us to deliver employee assistance programs and wellness training.”

Beyond that, companies are increasingly seeking opportunities to partner with community sector organisations to connect locally.

“This really took off during the pandemic, when corporates increasingly sought to invest in programs with innovative NFPs who were actively working with communities impacted by COVID-19,” said Ms Boddy.

“Alcoa Foundation funded Anglicare WA to work with local organisations to support people dealing with the financial, parenting and mental health stresses living in Kwinana, and the Peel and Upper South-West regions.

“Over 13 months, more than 1,000 people were supported.”

Delivering help, near and far

As awareness around the importance of mental health services evolves, so has Anglicare WA’s approach to service innovation and delivery. 

“In Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region, Anglicare WA was contracted by the Federal Government to establish the first – and so far, only – headspace service in Australia that’s not confined to a bricks and mortar centre,” said Ms Boldy.

Designed by Anglicare WA, the outreach program was supported by a locally-based steering group and consortium that included young people and their families, other service providers, local government, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and the WA Primary Health Alliance.

This unique service took the counsellors and support staff into the field in Karratha, Hedland and Newman, direct to the young people in need of the support.

Day 01 Karratha & Youth Centre,WA - Joseph Penipe Photography

“In the five years since launching, the service has proved successful, with their lively community-connected events creating a space for young people to connect with others, express themselves and focus on building strong foundations for mental wellbeing.”

Community Services – like Anglicare WA - make a difference in the community every day, from housing the homeless to supporting those with broken relationships or mental health challenges. The work is rewarding and provides staff and volunteers with a strong sense of purpose in their work.

“Events like RU OK Day are important for the community – but especially businesses, whether corporates or community services, for employers to check-in with their staff and consider their impacts on their workers mental health – and engage in preventative mental wellbeing initiatives,” said Ms Boldy.

“It not only has benefits for the staff, but in helping to establish positive mental health practices across their businesses.”