General News
11 September, 2025
R U OK? Not just today, but every day
More than 150 people gathered in Horsham on Wednesday, September 10, on World Suicide Prevention Day, to show their support for mental health and the prevention of suicide with a community walk through the CBD.
Organised by a small group of people affected by a loved one's suicide, it was the first of what is hoped will be an annual event in the lead up to R U OK? Day on September 11.
Stacey Clyne stepped up to the microphone to share her loss, her 20-year-old son, Mathew.
"I hope no one else had to go through what I have, but as I look around the crowd here tonight, I can see that others have," she said.
"Mental health struggles are real.
"They affect so many people every single day.
"And the world we live in is not always an easy place to be.
"That’s why it’s so important that we encourage our loved ones to talk, to share how they are feeling, and to seek support when they need it.
"We don’t always need to have the right words - we just need to walk beside them, to listen, and to be there.
"That is our responsibility to one another."
With her stood Georgia Taberner, Mathew's partner.
Georgia had two reasons to support Suicide Prevention Day after also losing her father, Clint, a month ago.
"It's okay not to be okay, but it's not okay to stay that way," said Justin, who helped organise the event.
Conversations about mental health and suicide can be hard, but the conversation about a loved one lost is much harder; so on World Suicide Prevention Day, we were encouraged to break the silence and genuinely ask people we know or meet, are they okay and mean it, every day.
A sombre crowd watched a prepared slideshow of loved ones lost and silently remembered.
People were invited to place a photo of their loved ones on easels along the edge of the stage.
A free barbecue was provided by Horsham Apex Club.
"We do this because we are a bunch of blokes that are passionate about mental health, especially in men, because it's hard to find and get help in a rural town, so anything we can do to support an event like this is important," said Craig Clyne, the club spokesperson.
Kevin O'Brien, Director of People and Places for Horsham Rural City Council, emceed the event.
HRCC mayor, Ian Ross, said people in rural communities feature some of the toughest, most resilient and hardworking people he knows.
"But even the strongest among us need support sometimes," he said.
"Asking ‘RUOK?’ can be one of the most powerful things you can do."
World Suicide Day is followed by RUOK Day on Thursday, September 11, but this year's message was to ask any day.
"Ask to listen, not to respond.
"There is plenty of time for you to speak.
"Your silence can be the gift a person needs at that moment, to be heard."
Anyone experiencing mental-health issues can call Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, Lifeline, 131 114, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800, or 13 YARN for Indigenous people.
