Prioritise Self-Care for RUOK? Day
Published on 09 September 2021
Gannawarra Shire Council has partnered with Northern District Community Health to develop a Gannawarra 21 Days of September Self-Care Calendar to coincide with RUOK? Day occurring on Thursday, 9 September 2021.
The self-care calendar aims to raise awareness of the importance of supporting mental health across the community by encouraging residents to reach out to others and by taking time to prioritise their own self-care.
“RUOK? Day is an important time to reach out to others; your family, friends, and the wider community,” said Gannawarra Shire Council Mayor, Charlie Gillingham.
“Whether it is your neighbour, a person in your community who lives alone, or a local business owner, even during these restrictions, there are ways to connect with others and ask the question – RU really OK?” Mayor Gillingham said
Northern District Community Health Chief Executive Officer, Mandy Hutchinson said that while looking out for the mental health of others is vitally important, so too is prioritising your own self-care and wellbeing by asking the extra question AM I OK?
“It is easy to miss the cues that your own mental health and wellbeing is waning when there is so much uncertainty going on around us,” said Ms. Hutchinson.
“We need to stop and take the time to top up our own wellbeing so that we can continue to support and care for our nearest and dearest."
“The Five Ways to Wellbeing – Connect, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Be Active and Give – is a great way to reflect on your own self-care and wellbeing".
The Gannawarra 21 Days of September Self-Care Calendar for RUOK? Day 2021 uses the Five Ways to Wellbeing to encourage everyone to incorporate wellbeing actions into their everyday lives. For a copy of the calendar please click here(PDF, 303KB).
“Self-care helps us focus energy on those things we can control and to take small steps to add a healthy dose of positivity to those around us,” said Ms. Hutchinson.
“By taking care of yourself you can keep spreading joy and happiness to others, not just in September but all year round!”
Lifeline is available 24 hours per day on 13 11 14 for anyone concerned for their mental health or the mental health of another person. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
To learn more about how to ask RUOK? and what to say when someone says they are not okay, please visit www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask