Mental health advocate and public speaker Michael Donehue was back in Benalla on Thursday, September 8, and presented three talks to staff at Schneider Electric.
Mr Donehue is the national services manager with a company called Alcohol and Drug Education Specialists.
It has worked with Schneider Electric in the past on alcohol and drug education, and company management got back in touch to see if Mr Donehue could return on RUOK? Day to do some mental health and well-being presentations.
“Luckily, we were free, which is rare on such a busy day,” Mr Donehue said.
The visit included three presentations to about 50 staff each time.
“I think RUOK? Day is one of the most important days of the year and can be a catalyst to those really important conversations,” Mr Donehue said.
"I’ve seen days like this where there are all the statuses on Facebook and Instagram, and that’s really important as it’s getting the awareness out there.
“But the next step is to take those conversations from today into the other 364 days of the year.
“I’m super passionate about what I do and I know that everyone isn’t necessarily open to conversations.
“But if we can use today as the driving factor to have one conversation with one person that we care about.
“Then we follow up with them tomorrow, and the day after, it normalises these difficult conversations, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Mr Donehue said the presentations were about getting people to look out for one another, but the most important thing was that they looked out for themselves as well.
“Taking the time out of our day to practice good self-care, do the things we enjoy, if we do that it then allows us to look after those around us.
“We talk about the importance of having a chat with a health professional.
“But we just have to have a chat with one person that we trust and feel comfortable with.
“Doing these presentations with Schneider, it could be the person they are sitting next to that they feel the most comfortable with.
“They might not feel as comfortable with their partner, let’s hope they do, but if it’s a work colleague they feel most comfortable with have a chat to them.
“They might be able to support them through it.
“Even though they are not there to diagnose or treat you, you can get stuff off your chest, have a conversation and then try to link into a health professional like a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist.”
Mr Donehue said one of the activities he did during presentations was to pick up something, like a carry on bag and hold it up.
“I ask what is going to happen if I keep holding this bag up with a straight arm?” he said.
“Your arm is going to get tired, and it’s the same with things that we hold onto.
“The longer we hold onto it without debriefing with someone the heavier it’s going to get.
“You don’t have to wait until you get to rock bottom to ask for help.
“If you are struggling put your hand up and get some help.”
Mr Donehue said one in five people in Australia had a diagnosable, common mental illness.
“We think about the Australian population and that is a lot of people,” he said.
“So whether someone feels like they are on their own and are doing it tough, and feel like they are the only one experiencing what they are going through.
“We’re not going to downplay what they are going through, but there are so many other people going through the same things.
“So if we can keep getting that message out there it normalises it for them and then they’ll feel more comfortable to hopefully have a chat.
“By the end of doing this interview, nine people will have lost their lives to suicide.
“So days like this are important.
“Conversations are important.
“And looking out for people around you and yourself is just as important as well.
“We know that if people are getting support and have a good network of family and friends around them, they are more likely to get professional help.
“The thing I always say is try and get into a health professional if you think you need it.
“Being in Benalla there could be wait times with that, which could make it a little challenging.
“But there are so many online resources you can use, RUOK, beyond blue, lifeline, the suicide call back service are just a few.”
Mr Donehue said from his own lived experience, talking to someone was easier than not.
“I thought the hardest part was opening up and talking about what I was going through,” he said.
“But once I started talking, as difficult as it was, I realised that putting on the mask and pretending to be someone that I wasn’t was actually the hardest.
“So if anyone is out there struggling have a chat with someone that you feel comfortable with.
“I’ve been able to get through it and so can you.
“That is the key message.”
If you, or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues there are a number of resources you could access, including:
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636 / www.beyondblue.org.au
RUOK — www.ruok.org.au
Lifeline — 131 114 / www.lifeline.org.au
The suicide callback service — 1300 659 467 / www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au