There\u2019s a lot of good things about living and working outside Australia\u2019s bigger towns and cities, but it also has its unique challenges. Fewer services, isolation and extreme weather events are just a few of the things that can be harder to deal with out here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
R U OK?, in collaboration with Professor Nicholas Procter and the team at UniSA\u2019s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Research Group, has released the revised Mateship Manual. The free manual is designed to provide guidance on how to support someone affected by a natural disaster or emergency, and why it\u2019s important to reach out to family, friends and colleagues to ask, \u201care you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mateship Manual combines lived experience and trauma lessons with research and clinical expertise to provide guidance on how to have tough conversations if someone is struggling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If someone you know \u2013 a family member, friend, neighbour or workmate – is doing it tough, they won\u2019t always tell you. Sometimes it\u2019s up to us to trust our gut instinct and ask someone who may be struggling with life \u201care you ok?\u201d By asking and listening, we can help our mates and others we care about feel more supported and connected long before they even think about suicide. It\u2019s something we can all do by following a few simple steps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n