From an early age, Nathan Urquhart, Head of Technology Portfolio and Transformation at oOh!, has faced the challenge of dealing with anxiety and depression. Nathan’s first-hand experience has empowered him to engage in difficult conversations that can positively impact others. Whether it’s with friends, family members, colleagues, or even complete strangers – as an R U OK? Community Ambassador, Nathan is on a mission to get people talking.
Nathan, what motivates you to raise awareness around suicide prevention and mental health?
I’m originally from England and grew up feeling quite different from other people around me, due to a traumatic burn accident at 18 months old. The experience, as well as what followed, caused anxiety, depression, and isolation. My world had a large void that I was unable to fill with anything external. It further progressed to having lived experience with suicide. The reason I am here today and that I am enjoying life, is an example of the power of conversation. I love R U OK? because it can help you to help others, in the same amount of time it takes to have a cuppa.
What does your role as a Community Ambassador entail?
Unofficially, being a Community Ambassador is an everyday thing. I do what anyone and everyone could do, and look out for signs where friends, family and/or members of the community may be struggling. If I notice something is not right with someone, I engage in conversation and offer support. We are advocates of inclusive and safe language and will support in any situation to help others in removing any stigma attached to mental health.
Officially, ambassadors attend yearly conferences and training to support Australia through the sharing of stories and spreading the simple yet effective message of R U OK? We conduct fund raising efforts, distribute merchandise and documents, and offer support to our fellow ambassadors, and work to reach communities across Australia that don’t always have the same support as our cities.
If someone asks, ‘are you ok?’ in the workplace and their colleague says, ‘well actually I’m not’, what can the colleague do?
The most important thing is to ensure that your colleague feels safe in the environment they are in, to have a conversation. You need to reassure them that you are approaching this conversation authentically and from a safe space. Always, trust your gut instinct. Make them a cuppa and find a quiet place. Double check if they are really okay. In these situations, it’s sometimes necessary to be vulnerable, engage in an honest conversation and reinforce that it’s okay, not to be okay.
Asking if someone is okay can be challenging. Start with a few questions such as, “Hey, what’s going on, anything new with you?’ “How are the kids?” “What’s work been like recently?” “This cost of living is hitting me hard, how are you going with it?” – something specific and real to you. Opening the conversation in this way will help you delve a little deeper into how someone is really feeling.
Are you ok?
Today I have a full life, with family (fur baby and partner), career, sport, music, movies, games, photography, and volunteering, none of this would have been possible without small conversations with people that noticed differences in my behaviour. This is why I am an R UOK? ambassador. I’m here to break the stigma around mental health, to help me and help you to raise some awareness around suicide prevention.
Currently in Australia:
Two in five Australians say they know someone in their personal life or network, who has either died by suicide or attempted it in the last 12 months*
One in five Australians report having experienced suicidal behaviour in the past 12 months*
Three in four Australians say they have experienced elevated distress beyond normal levels due to social and economic circumstances, in comparison to this time last year*
For more information: https://www.ruok.org.au/
Sources:
- Suicide Prevention Australia (2023). Suicide Prevention Australia Quarterly Tracker. Australia.
