With R U OK? day on the not-so-distant horizon (September 10 represent!), I’ve been really starting to reflect on our core mission at Miks Chai - to prevent suicide here in Australia. One of the things that saddens me is the fact that three out of four suicides are men, and a lot of it has to do with the idea that men talking about how they feel is somehow weak or unmanly, according to Beyond Blue.
I believe this sort of thinking is a lost opportunity to reduce a great deal of harm done by suicide. My heart goes out to all the people affected by this sort of thinking and the harm it causes. That’s why here at Mik’s Chai we’re not going to let a little conformity get in the way of the health and wellbeing of our loved ones. And what better way to do it than with a nice warm cuppa, preferably with a fire, the doggo can come too!
So we recommend brewing a cuppa and taking the time to sit down to connect with each other, men we are looking at you! It may be feel a bit awkward to do, but it is important to touch base every now and then, especially if some of the warning signs are there (irritable mood, loss of interest in activities, social withdrawal, weight loss or gain, looking tired, difficulty concentrating, seem to be drinking or using drugs more). If you're worried about a mate, the first step is to ask if they are ok - check out the picture down below for what to do based on their response. After chatting, pat yourself on the back and sip deeply into your chai, knowing that talking to your friends, regardless of their gender identity, can only make you closer and could even start them on the path to recognising and responding to mental health issues. That's our philosophy at Miks Chai - stories save lives!
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