Western Sydney Community Forum Logo

Latest News & Media

R U OK?

When you notice a change, no matter how small, RU OK ? DAY banner with a guy looking at another sad looking guy with empathy on the left side
Latest News

“Whenever you notice a change, no matter how small, we want you to trust your gut and start an R U OK? conversation.”

Today, the 12th of September is national ‘R U OK?’ day. Held annually, this national day is committed to starting conversations surrounding mental health, acting as a catalyst for community connection and support. This day advocates for not just a onetime check in to ask “RUOK?” but asks of us to collectively support others regularly each day of the year, especially those who may be struggling with the “ups and downs of life”.

‘RUOK?’ a non-government organisation which focuses on suicide prevention established RUOK? day as a conversational movement. This movement was developed to provide a new innovative avenue for mental health support and community connection. Gavin Larkin, the co-founder of RUOK? explains this day to be about “…getting connected and staying connected…” which as he explains is “…the best thing anyone can do for themselves and for those who may be at risk.”

As Larkin argues, research indicates that eliciting a conversation, listening and actively engaging with others is a pivotal way to support those who are struggling or experiencing distress.

This year’s theme is “Trust the signs, trust your Gut and ask R U OK?”. This theme encourages others to look out for signs, actions and changes that may indicate possible distress. More importantly, observe, connect and lend an ear to those who may be struggling.

In the context of Western Sydney, mental health distress has been a pressing concern, with statistics highlighting this region to have disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress in comparison to the wider Sydney area. In the Communities of Change report, we have found that there is a higher level of suicidality and self-harm in Western Sydney. This meaning, we must divert our attention to the main contributors of mental health distress, strengthen our services and engage in these vital conservations surrounding mental health – especially within our community of Western Sydney.

At Western Sydney Community Forum we firmly support and believe in engaging in these vital conversations surrounding mental health, encouraging discussion to be elicited surrounding mental health and suicide prevention. More so, we support all year-round support for those who are experiencing mental health distress, especially through the strengthening of our community and the services that are delivered.

We hope today you get involved and participate in these crucial conversations surrounding mental health this year and beyond. As this year’s slogan states, “Trust the signs, Trust your gut and ask R U OK?”

Related posts

Support-Services-Gaza-Conflict-1024x330
Latest News
The escalation of violent conflict in Israel and Gaza is being felt by communities in Western Sydney, and it may be affecting your staff or the people you work with. Multicultural NSW has developed a list of support services available for people who may be impacted at this time.
NSW-Budget-2023-Statement-FINAL
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Federal-Budget-2023-FINAL-1024x330
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
Since the budget announcement on Tuesday night, I have been reflecting on what all this means for the community and human services industry, and more importantly for the people of Western Sydney that we support. On budget night, I saw a shift in the national narrative with the Government’s approach to people experiencing vulnerabilities. I saw a shift in how income support and rental assistance was viewed, that it is a security safety net for times when people are in need and at times of crisis.
Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
A guy holding a boomerang looking at smoke with people watching
Latest NewsMedia Release
Western Sydney Community Forum welcomes a recent Mayoral Minute adopted by Council as a measure towards reconciliation for communities in Western Sydney. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council made a significant motion regarding reconciliation in the region. The Mayoral minute was unanimously endorsed by Council where an invitation will be extended to local Aboriginal Elders to meet with Council, and an Acknowledgement to Country will be included in Citizenship Ceremonies and at major community events.
When you notice a change, no matter how small, RU OK ? DAY banner with a guy looking at another sad looking guy with empathy on the left side
Latest News
Held annually, this national day is committed to starting conversations surrounding mental health, acting as a catalyst for community connection and support. This day advocates for not just a onetime check in to ask “RUOK?” but asks of us to collectively support others regularly each day of the year, especially those who may be struggling with the ups and downs of life.

Recent posts

Support-Services-Gaza-Conflict-1024x330
Latest News
The escalation of violent conflict in Israel and Gaza is being felt by communities in Western Sydney, and it may be affecting your staff or the people you work with. Multicultural NSW has developed a list of support services available for people who may be impacted at this time.
NSW-Budget-2023-Statement-FINAL
Latest News
With the unveiling of the first Budget by a NSW Labor Government in 12 years, I—like many others in Western Sydney’s community sector—watched with interest for signs that the new government was committed to taking the bold steps needed to address the challenges facing the region. However, what I witnessed this week was a budget that did not step up to those challenges.
Federal-Budget-2023-FINAL-1024x330
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
Since the budget announcement on Tuesday night, I have been reflecting on what all this means for the community and human services industry, and more importantly for the people of Western Sydney that we support. On budget night, I saw a shift in the national narrative with the Government’s approach to people experiencing vulnerabilities. I saw a shift in how income support and rental assistance was viewed, that it is a security safety net for times when people are in need and at times of crisis.
Economies thrive when communities do equity and the NSW State Budget 2020-21
Change ReadinessCommunity DevelopmentEventsGovernanceGovernanceInfrastructureLatest NewsMedia ReleaseTransportYouth
As I tuned into the NSW Government’s Budget 2020-21 announcement on Tuesday, I couldn’t help but hold a level of anticipation. Amid recent announcements that Australia is facing a recession, I needed to know as I scanned the influx of media announcements – was Western Sydney going to be a ‘winner’ in this year’s budget?
A guy holding a boomerang looking at smoke with people watching
Latest NewsMedia Release
Western Sydney Community Forum welcomes a recent Mayoral Minute adopted by Council as a measure towards reconciliation for communities in Western Sydney. Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne of The Hills Shire Council made a significant motion regarding reconciliation in the region. The Mayoral minute was unanimously endorsed by Council where an invitation will be extended to local Aboriginal Elders to meet with Council, and an Acknowledgement to Country will be included in Citizenship Ceremonies and at major community events.
Skip to content