R U OK?

Whether you call it R U OK Day, or Suicide Prevention Day, this is it. The 12th of September. This is the day where we want to message or call every single one of our friends and family and ask them, are you okay? How are you doing? How is life, and are you really okay? But we can’t reach out to everyone in a day.

I had a person say to me once that they thought R U OK Day was an absolute joke; they said who would answer that truthfully, saying no, I’m not okay, I’m suicidal, I want to hurt myself? No one.
I can’t help but agree with that, but only to an extent. No, people might not find it easy to answer that question, especially if they are struggling. As someone who struggles with depression and more, I would quite possibly feel confronted and put on the spot if someone asked me because it’s “R U OK Day”. I wouldn’t want to answer truthfully if that was how I felt.

The thing is, though, we have to ask each other. Statistics show how much the rate of suicides has increased, and a simple conversation really could save someone’s life. But we need to not limit it to one day each year.
Ask someone on the 13th of September if they’re okay. Ask someone on the 14th, or in the middle of October, February or July. It doesn’t matter what day it is to ask someone if they’re okay. It doesn’t matter what day it is to reach out if someone is distant or seems to be struggling. It doesn’t matter what day it is. What matters is their life. Your life. Life matters.
I’d like to encourage you to be open if you’re not okay, but knowing how much of a struggle it is, I can’t really say that. I can say that I will try and be honest, if you will try and be honest. If we could all be open and honest, we’d live in a better world. We could understand each other so much more.

Below you’ll find a list of suicide hotlines from around the world compiled by Danny, formerly of www.depressionisnotdestiny.com:
Just know one thing: A phone call is never a waste of time. Your life matters. These people are here because your life matters.
You’ll also find a contact form at the bottom of this post – feel free to pop a message in there to send to me personally if you need someone to chat with, or to my email: julie@confessionsofasimplemum.com.
There is always someone to listen to you, near or far. Remember, you’re worth it.

Argentina: +5402234930430

Australia: 131114

Austria: 142; for children and young people, 147

Belgium: 106

Bosnia & Herzegovina: 080 05 03 05

Botswana: 3911270

Brazil: 188 for the CVV National Association

Canada: 1.833.456.4566, 5147234000 (Montreal); 18662773553 (outside Montreal)

Croatia: 014833888

Denmark: +4570201201

Egypt: 7621602

Estonia: 3726558088; in Russian 3726555688

Finland: 010 195 202

France: 0145394000

Germany: 08001810771

Holland: 09000767

Hong Kong: +852 2382 0000

Hungary: 116123

India: 8888817666

Ireland: +4408457909090

Italy: 800860022

Japan: +810352869090

Mexico: 5255102550

New Zealand: 0800543354

Norway: +4781533300

Philippines: 028969191

Poland: 5270000

Portugal: 21 854 07 40/8 . 96 898 21 50

Russia: 0078202577577

Spain: 914590050

South Africa: 0514445691

Sweden: 46317112400

Switzerland: 143

United Kingdom: 08457909090

USA: 18002738255

Veterans’ Crisis Line: 1 800 273 8255/ text 838255

I’ll close with this. R U OK? If you are, I’m proud of you and that is amazing. If you aren’t, I’m so sorry. I wish with all my heart that I could help you personally (remember, you can contact me). Please, know you matter, you have a purpose, and you are needed and loved.
Maybe R U OK Day is a bit clichè and even silly to some people. But it’s not silly. It’s a necessary thing in the world we live in today.
Remember to ask each other, regardless of what day it is, and when you are asked, don’t be afraid to let your voice be heard;