R U OK? Day

Today is R U OK? Day.
R U OK?Day is a national day of action dedicated to inspiring all Australians to ask family, friends and colleagues, ‘Are you ok?’ By regularly reaching out to one another and having open and honest conversations, we can all help build a more connected community and reduce our country’s high suicide rate.

As yawl know if you read my blog I have Bipolar and suffer from episodes of depression or The Terrible Sadness as I call it. So campaigns such as this really mean alot to me.
In this world where social media and iphones make it so easy to stay 'in touch' with each other we seem to have forgotten to keep a more intimate personal connection with the people we know & love.

It is very very important for people with depression or Bipolar to know that SOMEONE gives a shit.
I'm not saying that you need to be calling people every single bloody day or dropping in on them with bunches of flowers or getting up in their personal space with too much touchy feelie stuff (C'morrrn you KNOW you want a hug!"
Just a simple "Hay, are you alright? You seem a big down. Do you want to talk about it? or Can I help?" is great.
Unfortunately alot of people with depression (and I used to be one of these people) don't want to worry others so they will say "I'm Great" or "Narrr I'm Ok just a bit down. I'll be right".

During the height of my depressive years I felt totally alone. I knew I wasn't alone. I had a great family. I had good friends.... I just didn't want to be a burden. I didn't want to worry my Mum.
Over the years I have discovered that being really vocal about having depression is the best thing ever.
I used to try & hide it but now I yell it over the blogasphere.
I HAVE BIPOLAR AND DEPRESSION.
IT FUCKING SUCKS ARSE.

When I was around 20 years old I was super duper depressed. I used to have panic attacks all the time was mega social phobic and thought about suicide and dying ALOT.  I went to numerous GPs. I would beg them to put me away. I told them that I was terrified that during one of my episodes I would either kill myself or kill others. Every time I was told either "Don't be silly you're just a bit stressed" or "Just take a few deep breaths into a paper bag". In 1992 there weren't any RUOK campaigns.

Beyondblue, RUOK?Day and any other day that might prompt one person to think to themselves " Mmmmm such n such hasn't been themselves lately I might just drop them a line" or " I really need to get myself checked out. It's like that ad is talking about me" are amazing.
I wish they would have been around back then.
It took me to get to the end of the line to call beyondblue. Standing in Bunnings measuring up tubing for the exhaust to be exact.
The stigma of depression is (I think) slowly but surely fading in today's society.

Don't tell me to JUST GET OVER IT. Don't you think if it were that easy I would!
So, just remember that reminding people that you are there for them is really important.

If you R NOT OK then please please please contact beyondblue www.beyondblue.org.au or LifeLine 13 11 14

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!