September 13, 2012
Are you ok? That was the question on everyone’s lips as they sipped coffee at 20 venues throughout the South Burnett.
In Kingaroy, coffees were being distributed at a number of venues, including the Kingaroy RSL and Gloria Jean’s.
A free community breakfast held in the laneway outside Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington’s office also added to the fun.
But there was a very serious message behind all the yellow balloons, funky T-shirts and free coffees …
RU OK Day? is a way to help people feel comfortable about broaching what is a very sensitive subject … thoughts of suicide.
Suicide statistics are almost impossible to gather, but during her maiden speech to Parliament on May 29 Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington estimated it could be as high as one death per week in the South Burnett.
The South Burnett Suicide Prevention Working Group promoted RU OK Day as a way to encourage people to connect with colleagues, friends and loved ones by reaching out to anyone doing it tough and asking “RU OK?”
Working Group spokesperson Louise Judge said the day was about stopping little problems from turning into big ones.
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said the tragedy of suicide had struck on too many occasions.
He urged the people enjoying the free breakfast to take the message back to their workplaces and connect with their colleagues throughout the day.
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