Thursday, 12 September 2024

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (10:00): I rise to acknowledge that today is R U OK? Day, a day where we are all reminded of the need to have frank and honest discussions about our own mental health and wellbeing as well as the mental health of those around us. Today we are asked not just to check in on our family, friends and colleagues but importantly to truly listen to them and to start meaningfully connecting with people in our lives who may be struggling. The theme of R U OK? Day this year is R U OK? Any Day, challenging us all to create a culture where we feel comfortable and safe enough to have those tough conversations any day of the year. As a government we have committed to rebuilding our mental health system from the ground up, but we know we still have so much more to do as a community to confront the stigma about talking about our mental health and address the fear of standing up and saying that we are not doing okay. So today and every day remember to reach out to the people in your life, to start that conversation and to not be afraid if somebody tells you they are not okay. You do not need to be an expert to reach out, just a good friend and a great listener.