R U OK? Mount Barker mental health ambassador’s message to others

A Mount Barker R U OK? ambassador is encouraging local residents to look out for each other amidst cost-of-living rises.

Today marks R U OK? Day, a busy day for Chris Savill – known as “Savvy” – who continually advocates for breaking stigma, sparking conversations and suicide prevention.

As the cost of living crunch hits locals, Mr Savill has found stress, depression and anxiety is “shooting through the roof”.

“I still get contacted by people who are feeling lonely because of COVID, but at the moment most of my calls are related to the cost of living and how that’s sky rocketing out of control,” he said.

“It’s really sad, some of the stories I’ve heard have brought a tear to my eye.”

He said money has always been a stressor for people, but now it is “everything that’s on their mind, 24/7”.

“People aren’t sleeping at night because they’re constantly worrying about how they’re going to pay the bill the next week,” Mr Savill said.

“(Recently), I know of two families who have become homeless in the Hills because they can’t afford the cost of living.

“They have to give up their family dog… which was heart breaking because a pet is a family member… and again, pets are great for your mental health.”

The period is a trying time, Mr Savill said, as the community “used up” all its resilience during COVID and the bushfires and are now “pretty much on empty”.

“It’s a really unhealthy state to be in – survival mode,” he said.

“It’s not living, it’s surviving.

“You can’t stay in survival mode for huge lengths of time.”

He wants governments to take action, contribute more funding, and start “putting boots on the grounds”, especially in regional areas.

Part of Mr Savill’s “ongoing fight” is to reduce stigma attached to mental health, and spread the message that “everyone is human” and “there’s no shame in asking for help”.

“If you are struggling, please reach out to a trusted person, a family member, your best friend, a work colleague, someone that you trust,” Mr Savill said.

“The power of a conversation is incredible… just talking about what’s on your mind really does lift that weight off your shoulders.”

Checking in with one another and asking how each other are “could save a life”.

“That’s what we need now more than ever with the cost of living, is community,” Mr Savill said.

“Look out for your neighbour, look out for your work colleagues, especially in rural areas.

“The communities are really close together in rural areas already.

“If someone’s lonely, knock on the door, have a cuppa with them, see how they’re travelling and how they’re doing and that just lets them know they’re there.”

When speaking to others, he recommends “just being there; be a listening ear”.

“If they’re at a stage where they do need help, help them get that help… walk them through that so they’re not alone in doing that either,” Mr Savill said.

“Normally the first port-of-call is your GP, they will come up with a mental health plan for you and then refer you on.”

Mr Savill became an ambassador after his personal experience, when workplace stress led him into a depression.

“I used to be one of those people who’d think, poor mental health will never happen to me, but it did,” he said.

“And now I know it really exists and how painful it is, and how alone you can feel, and that’s what led me to become an R U OK? ambassador.

“I went through post traumatic growth, where you learn from your bad experience but it turns you into a better person.”

Mr Savill has been an advocate for four years, and was awarded Mount Barker District Council Citizen of the Year in 2020.

R U OK? Day 2022 annual National Day of Action is today, September 8, and is a reminder that every day is the day to check in with your friends, family and colleagues.

The Australian non-profit suicide prevention organisation recently launched its theme for this year: ‘Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed’, after new research found four in 10 Australians feel asking someone ‘are you OK?’ is a conversation better had with an expert.

The organisation reminds Australians they have what it takes to support their family, friends and colleagues.  

For more information on R U OK? and to access its resources, visit: (www.ruok.org.au).

Futhermore, Mr Savill is also launching a new peer-lead initiative with a friend, on World Suicide Prevention Day, this Saturday, September 10.

The Hills Safe Space will be held at Wallis Cinema, every Saturday, 6pm-8pm, however is not a replacement of professional mental health services.

“It’s a place where people can just come and talk, in a safe, secure and non-judgemental group,” Mr Savill said.

Meanwhile, Strathalbyn and Communities Suicide Prevention Network is hosting a mental health street chat and barbecue today on Dawson Street, across the road from Woolworths.

R U OK? ambassador Chris Savill’s four steps to support others:

1. Ask are you OK? You can ask that question 365 days of the year, 24/7. It takes two seconds, but it could save a life.

2. Just listen, actively listen. There are two forms of listening, listening to respond and there’s listening to understand. When you listen to understand, you don’t have to respond.

3. Help them seek professional help.

4. A few weeks later, touch base with them, see how they’re travelling.

If you need help, reach out to Lifeline on: (13 11 14)  or text: (0477 13 11 14). Beyond Blue can be reached on: (1300 22 4636).