Aidan Curtis
MENTAL health organisation headspace is partnering with San Piero Coffee Roasters to encourage people to check in with their mates on R U OK? Day.
Through the partnership, people purchasing coffee at San Piero will receive a free R U OK? Day-themed cookie and information on how to access mental health services.
headspace community liaison worker Nick McInerney said the partnership hopes to encourage people who may not normally come across the R U OK? message to check in with their friends and family.
“I think it’s good for people to have that real visual and active day to check in with their mates and stop to have a conversation they may not ordinarily have,“ Mr McInerney said.
“Hopefully, that can start people doing that more ongoing, understanding the importance of it and the benefits of connections and support from friends and family.
“Checking in doesn’t always have to be with someone doing it tough, checking in with people going well and feeling well is also really positive.“
Mr McInerney said it was especially important to check in with friends that do not normally talk about how they are feeling.
“It’s an underrated skill to, one, recognise people that might be doing it tough and then, two, to be able to have the conversation in general,“ he said.
“For males, it can be difficult to for people to make themselves vulnerable and be in that space to have conversations, but there’s a real benefit to conversations like that and supporting your friends.“
For San Piero Coffee Roasters owner Peter Heuzenroeder, it was a no-brainer to partner with headspace for the day.
“[headspace] approached us to help out and we’re only too happy to – it’s a really good cause,“ he said.
“We all know someone that has had troubles, so it’s really important to all of us to be aware of what headspace can help us with.
“The more we can help, the more chance we’ve got of people seeking help, so it’s a good thing.“
R U OK? Day falls on Thursday, September 14.
