“Tragic events in the past few months” in Dubbo have multiple organisations rallying behind a Youth Week visit by an ambassador of the national suicide prevention charity RU OK?
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Steven Oliver, best known for his role in the ABC’s Black Comedy, will talk to TAFE NSW students before travelling to Apollo House on Saturday.
Dubbo Regional Council, TAFE NSW, headspace, Base Art Inc and the Ochre Opportunity Hub are supporting the visit.
Not-for-profit RU OK? seeks to inspire conversations that can save lives.
Chief executive officer Brendan Maher said its current focus was to “make an impact on regional and remote communities where we are acutely aware that suicide statistics are on the rise”.
Mr Oliver is known for his humour but having “lost family and friends himself” is serious about suicide prevention.
“I guess when I talk to kids I don't think too much about whether I'll use humour or not but more so just try to have an honest conversation with them,” he told the Daily Liberal.
“Making them laugh is important to keep them engaged, but at the end of the day I don't want them to leave just feeling good because they had a laugh. I want them to leave feeling good about themselves because they know they matter."
Mr Oliver’s first stop at the TAFE NSW Dubbo student hub is much-awaited with engagement officer Brigid Palin certain that “when a community is struck by tragedy we all need to remember to look after each other”.
“The people of Dubbo have experienced a number of tragic events in the past few months, so it’s important we come together this weekend and make a commitment to start these important conversations which can be life-changing,” she said.
At the #cantevenask event, clinical leader at headspace Dubbo Ann-Maree Hartley will outline its resources and how young people “can be great advocates for their mates”.
“If a friend is having problems, it can be their friend who is the first one to know and walk them through our door,” she said.
Dubbo Regional Council’s youth officer Jason Yelverton said Mr Oliver “really resonates with Dubbo youth”.
“The fact that he’s visiting the city to discuss a much-needed message during Youth Week is a win for the whole community,” Mr Yelverton said.
