Asking all the right questions: the importance of looking after your ‘patch’

Loneliness is one of the biggest current mental health issues facing the community, according to a local mental health advocate.

Cliff Sweetman, of Strathalbyn and Communities Suicide Prevention Network, said living through COVID, lockdowns and inflation has put locals in a “whole new ball game”.

“The isolation that we’ve had for the last couple of years has cost a lot of good mental health practice, in the sense of people talking to each other,” he said.

“Working from home; isolation has come with it.

“There’s a whole new ball game that we’re playing, not only from a social perspective but also from a working life perspective.

“All these soft skills… that are so important in your working life, in your daily life, have been eroded and that’s a real sad thing.”

A free barbecue – cooked by Rotary Club of Strathalbyn – and fruit were offered on Thursday, corresponding with R U OK? Day, to spark conversations with community members and offer resources.

The event was hosted by Strathalbyn and Communities Suicide Prevention Network, which has been running for about 10 years.

After a cluster of local suicides, Mr Sweetman came out of retirement to produce mental health resources.

He wants to bring awareness, understanding and upskill people in supporting each other, asking questions such as ‘are you okay?’, and ways to carry the conversation further if the answer is ‘no’.

“It’s about looking after you patch or pod, whatever they might be, and having that recognition that there’s somebody in there who’s feeling a bit lonely, or feeling a bit challenged with what’s going on with life at the moment,” Mr Sweetman said.

“Having a conversation helps people to step out of the darkness which they might find themselves falling into.”

He said most people want to help others, and with the right resources that desire can be turned into action. 

“You don’t have to be a counsellor or a doctor or a psychologist to be a good friend and (good listener),” he said.

“Part of this is recognising that change is one of the few constants we have in life, and the other need we have is the capacity to cope with change when it hits us.”

Another street talk will be repeated on October 13, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month.

For further information on Strathalbyn & Communities Suicide Prevention Network, visit: (www.facebook.com/mentallyfitforlife/).

If this article raised any issues for you, contact Lifeline on: (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue on: (1300 22 4636).