Fewer services, isolation and extreme weather events are just a few of the things that can be harder to deal with out here. In regional and remote areas there can also be a ‘toughen up’ culture where it’s not always easy to talk about the things that keep us awake at night, or give us the confidence to ask a mate if everything is OK. That’s why the Mateship Manual was developed. To help those in rural and remote areas support their mates and loved ones doing it tough.

Sometimes it’s up to us to trust our gut instinct and ask someone who may be struggling with life, “Are you OK?”. By asking and listening, we can help our mates and loved ones feel more supported and connected long before they even think about suicide. It’s something we can all do by following a few simple steps.