Minister Scullion signs up to R U OK?

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, has signed up as a Conversation Mate to help suicide-prevention organisation, R U OK?, inspire regular, meaningful conversations.

R U OK? is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring more Australians to ask, “Are you ok?” regularly of family and friends who might be struggling.

Suicide rates are twice as high for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as for non-Indigenous Australians, with the majority of deaths occurring before the age of 35.

In 2014, R U OK? is asking everyone to sign up as a Conversation Mate and show their commitment to asking the question more regularly.

“I am delighted to be R U OK Day?’s first Conversation Mate, encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and to help stop smaller problems turning into bigger ones,” Minister Scullion said.

“Reducing suicide and self harm among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a public health priority for the Australian Government.”

R U OK?’s goal is to have 23,000 Australians sign up. Everyone in the community can be part of this effort to help create a world where people are connected and protected from suicide.

“We don’t have to have the answers or be experts if our friends need our help,” Minister Scullion said.

"Instead, we can ask them how they’re going on a regular basis and really listen to what they’re going through. I urge everyone to get on board and commit to asking the question, ‘Are you Ok?’”