Australians start conversations to change lives on R U OK?Day

With an estimated 13 million Australians aware of R U OK?Day and 1 in 5 taking part in 2011, this year’s R U OK?Day on September 13 is set to encourage even more Australians
to stop little problems becoming bigger by asking someone, ‘Are you ok?’

Millions of people asked the question last year, including Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, actors Hugh Jackman, Jack Thompson and Naomi Watts, and sporting heroes Wendell Sailor and Libby Trickett.

The national day of action is dedicated to helping reduce Australia’s high suicide rate and was launched in Australian Parliament in 2009 by the late Gavin Larkin OAM whose own father took his life in in 1995. R U OK?Day aims to inspire all Australians to take responsibility for people in their lives who may be struggling and need an opportunity to say ‘I’m not ok’ to a friend or family member.

R U OK? Co-founder and CEO, Janina Nearn, says anyone can get involved in the campaign by simply reaching out to colleague, friend or loved one. ‘We want all Australians to take a moment to check in with someone and ask, ‘Are you ok?’ A conversation could change a life,’ she says.

Suicide prevention expert and Chair of the R U OK? Scientific Advisory Group, Professor Graham Martin OAM, says regular connection with family, friends and peers, can help build a stronger and more resilient community; protecting the people we know and love. ‘You don’t have to be an expert to support someone going through a tough time, you just need to BE there, be able to listen without judgment, and take the time to follow up,’ Professor Martin says. ‘It’s very common to feel alone when going through difficult times but helping someone admit they’re not ok is the first step to getting support.’

Fact and figures:

• On average, more than 2,200 Australians suicide each year (ABS 2012)
• 65,000 people attempt suicide each year (Lifeline)
• Suicide is the biggest killer of Australians aged 15 to 34 years (ABS 2012)
• Men account for 75 per cent of all suicide deaths (ABS 2012) and suicide rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are approximately twice those of non-Indigenous Australians.

Source: RU OK?Day
http://ruokday.com/

My meeting with Kelvin Thomson MP

By Darren Stones

On Friday 10 August, 2012, I had a 20-minute meeting with my local federal member of parliament. It's the first time I've taken the step to arrange a face-to-face meeting with a politician to advocate for people experiencing mental ill health.

Upon my written request via email to Kelvin Thomson's office in Munro Street, Coburg, on Monday 6 August, a staffer from Kelvin's office quickly arranged a meeting on Tuesday 7 August for us to meet on the following Friday. The topic of our meeting was to discuss the Better Access scheme.

During the discussion I tried to impress on Kelvin the benefits of the Better Access scheme and how it does help people in regard to their mental health. The scheme is currently going through a transition phase whereby Medicare-funded sessions are being cut from 18 per calendar year to only 10. This is a move initiated by the current Labor Government in which Kelvin is part of.

In meeting Kelvin, I informed him that there are many people living in Australia who are not well enough to visit their local MPs to advocate because of their lived experience of mental ill health.

I left a package of written material for Kelvin to look through and left the meeting feeling thankful he had given me time to express my thoughts and listen to his views. I did the best I could to impress on him how beneficial the Better Access scheme had been for me during 2009-2011 when I relied on it to improve my health.

All I can do is my best to try and convince politicians of the need for reasonable treatment options for our people. A face-to-face meeting is a big step to take, but one that I feel is now necessary.

Facilitating a 15-minute skill based/workplace learning session

By Darren Stones

As part of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAE40110 course I'm currently studying with Moreland Adult Education, I have the opportunity to plan, facilitate and review a 15-minute training session with an individual learner.

Drawing on my experience as a photographer, I've chosen a topic that allows me to impart knowledge to the learner, which could be of assistance to them in the future.

My chosen topic is Magazine Cover, and what this basically involves is that I will train my learner to identify a suitable photograph for the front cover of a photography magazine.

During my training session, I will be showing my learner three hard copy photography magazines that showcase good design and a suitable subject that is centrally located in the image.

When looking for a suitable image, we have to consider that there is sufficient space in the top third of the image for the magazine title and room for text along each side and the bottom.

We have to be mindful that the text for the cover will not overlap the main subject of the photograph.

In preparation for facilitating this 15-minute session, I have prepared a Lesson Plan that incorporates a 2-minute Introduction, 1-minute of OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) discussion, a 9-minute Body of lesson plan, and a 3-minute Closing session.

Each section of the lesson plan contains:

• Content
• Activities
• Resources

When I facilitate this session in front of my fellow students, my trainer will be assessing my competency for this task. It's an exciting opportunity, and one that has provided me good food for thought in developing future learning sessions.

As part of this article I have included three sample images as examples. These images form a small part of my Lesson Plan, in that they display what is and isn't suitable for a magazine cover. Landscape format images are not suitable for the photography magazine in question, as it is published in the traditional portrait style format.

Landscape Format - not suitable

Not Suitable
Subject not central and insufficient space at top for magazine title


Suitable
Subject central and space at top for magazine title

Upon completion of my 15-minute training session, my trainer will provide feedback regarding my performance. I am looking forward to this session as I'm keen to impart some knowledge to my learner, and gain some valuable feedback from my trainer regarding my plan and delivery method.

Note:
I successfully facilitated this session and it was great to receive feedback from my trainer and my fellow students.