Our journeys as modern parents can be so overwhelming. Let's be open about it.
Today is "R U OK?" Day; a day set aside to raise awareness about suicide prevention, and where we are encouraged to check in with others, be open, start the conversation. Let's talk about mental health.
Last year at this time, we were at the beginning of what is becoming a fairly lengthy journey with one of our boys. It has been (at times) a series of overwhelming discussions and events; but I'm sure this true for many of us on this ride called parenthood. We worry; we feel anxious or unsure. We lay awake at night, pondering what does this mean for our kids?
But during this week of last year, I started to experience a spike in my anxious feelings. The peak of my anxiety about our boy culminated in a panic attack in the pool while I was tying to swim laps to clear my head before school pick up. I managed to get to the car and called my husband before I completely fell apart.
I was able to compose myself enough to do school pick up, where one of the lovely mums sat next to me for a chat, as we usually do at that time of day. This day, she turned to me and asked me this question.
"What's happening in your world?"
So simple. I broke down for the second time in an hour, and poured out what had been happening in my life in the past week. I was aware it was RU OK day, but I know it's a closed question - we can all shrug it off a little with a simple response - "Sure", or "Not bad". For me, I would have been closed off about answering if she had asked me that question; my answer might not have been as honest.
This question - "What's happening in your world?" - was so caring and yet direct, but not prying or invasive. It allowed me to open up, acknowledge things weren't too great, and begin to process what we were going through. It also encouraged me to seek support from my community of mums. So thank you, Sarah for that day last year.
But this year, I want to take it to the next step. I'm asking you all RU OK? But more than that, I'm asking - "What's happening in your world?"
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If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 for crisis support and suicide prevention. Or get in touch with one of these organisations below.