#157

Welcome to Weekly Whisper #157.

WARNING: this post relates to/references depression, anxiety and suicide. If you are seriously injured or know someone who is at risk of harm right now, call Emergency Services on 000. If you want help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, or consult a Doctor.

RUOK?

Between now and RUOK? Day scheduled for 12 September 2024 more than 516 people will die by suicide in Australia alone.

516 lives gone.

516 families and communities shattered.

In Australia, 75% of them will be men.

The numbers around the world are equally disturbing and tragic.

Don’t wait until 12 September to check in on someone.

Don’t leave it at RUOK?.

Even if you ask RUOK? and they say ‘yeh I’m OK’ there’s a possibility they’re not.

“If you weren’t OK, would you talk?”

If they weren’t OK would you listen?

“Shall we just walk and talk anyway?”

If they weren’t OK would you make it easy for them to talk?

I wrote recently about what masks we wear in Weekly Whisper 151 but there’s a different type of mask we wear if we are hiding pain.

That mask of protection that gets you through the day.

That mask of protection that gets you through dropping the kids off at school.

That mask of protection that gets you to smile and be ‘up’ when it’s the last thing you want to do.

Take a listen to this from Jimmy Smith of the Jimmy and Nath Show

https://www.instagram.com/jimmyandnath/reel/C7dw0rqP7rW/

https://www.instagram.com/jimmyandnath/reel/C8B5Fu6PeEn/

Don’t wait for RUOK? Day to check in with someone.

Don’t assume when they say I’m OK that they actually are.

Be sensitive to what their mask might be protecting them from.

You’ll never know when someone else needs you to be at your best most compassionate self.

Catch up before next week's new release
Freedom Fridays Episode 85 Featuring Paul Dalton

In Episode 85 of the Freedom Fridays Podcast Pete chats with Paul Dalton, a specialist mindfulness teacher. They dive in to the whys, whats and what nots of all things mindful – why has the concept gained traction over the last decade or so?; what is it in comparisons to something like meditation?; What are the biggest mistakes people make in trying mindfulness techniques?

If any of you talk to yourself and have ever pondered the philosophical question ‘who am I talking to?’ then the conversation will offer a possibility.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and a little off your A game then this conversation isn’t to be missed with lots of practical, simple tips to get started or continue being more mindful.

CLICK HERE for a special link to Paul's 7 day free mindfulness starter program.

                                                       

                                 

That's all for this week. If you’ve been enjoying the Weekly Whispers please feel free to forward it to friends and anyone you think would benefit.

As always, please send me an email at [email protected] to send me your feedback or to let me know your thoughts.

Cheers

Pete