R U OK? Conversation Convoy fills Karratha Community Cup

The R U OK? organisation has well and truly permeated the Australian consciousness. Each advertisement, yellow wristband, or slogan iced on office cupcakes is a reminder of the organisations core message - to talk to one another earnestly about how we are feeling. However, what many Australians might not know is that the organisation which breeds such positivity is rooted in a tragic, though common, story. Gavin Larkin founded R U OK? in 2009 in response to losing his father to suicide as a teenager. The national campaign aimed to shift negative stigma that surrounded mental health issues, and carve a space in Australian society for open dialogues on the matter. R U OK? remains vigilant on spreading their message to every Australian and achieves this through their Conversation Convoy Program. The Conversation Convoy, a fleet of buses carrying R U OK? staff and mental health experts, travels to regional towns to hold morning teas which promote community dialogue on well-being. The program stopped off In Karratha on Tuesday June 4 and was warmly welcomed by a chorus of Pilbara residents. Locals enjoyed participating in the diverse the range of activities the Conversation Convoy offered, including jenga, chess and a petting zoo with native animals. Residents were deeply moved by the space R U OK? provided for them to gather, share a cup of tea, and support each other’s well-being. It’s events such as these that leader of the R U OK? Stronger Together campaign for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Steven Satour believes can erode the shame some men have about discussing mental health. “The conversation convoy’s and the R U OK men’s sheds really do a lot to shift the toxic male stereotype that says being a man means never talking about your feelings.” “We are seeing a real shift in that kind of culture, because at the end of the day, we are all human beings.” Mr Satour said research conducted at R U OK? has proven that engaging in meaningful conversations with friends about whats going on in their lives positively impacts ones head space. “It doesn’t have to be this big, complicated thing, It’s really simple its just about connecting with your friends and your family or even your work,” Mr Satour said.