The Souths Cares team utilized R U OK Day to continue important discussions on reducing the stigma associated with mental health and encouraging people to reach out for help if they are struggling.
The day commenced with an interactive fitness session on Zoom, facilitated by Yileen Gordon and Rhys Wesser. The session was targeted towards school students and helped them kick-start their day on a positive note whilst participating in remote classroom learning.
Yileen Gordon then attended a construction site in Waterloo for an intimate Q&A session with over 120 construction staff. Gordon discussed growing up in nearby Waterloo, his NRL playing career, learning from his mistakes as well as important strategies to support mental health and wellbeing in a workplace context.
Gordon explained initiatives such as R U OK Day play an important role in breaking the stigma.
‘I hope that sharing some of my life experiences and the challenges I have overcome will help break the stigma around discussing mental health.
Even the smallest conversation with a mate could make the world of difference’, Gordon said.
Souths Cares also facilitated a special R U OK Day Zoom session, with over 100 students from 18 schools logging on. Souths Cares were joined by Rabbitohs man-of-the-moment Mark Nicholls who has been in career-best form and captained the side in last week’s victory over the Dragons.
Nicholls shared his journey with the participants, explaining how hard he had to work to achieve his dream of becoming an NRL player. Nicholls emphasized the importance of looking out for your friends, talking to someone you trust if you have a problem, and being comfortable to ask somebody – R U OK?
This year’s R U OK Day theme is ‘Are they really OK? Ask them today.’ For more information, see ruok.org.au
