R U OK Day 2022 marked by COVID-19 and rising interest rates for first time

R U OK Day 2022 was marked with cup cakes for residents and staff at retirement villages and aged care homes up and down the nation.

COVID-19 has been a traumatic event for everyone and the requirements for the sector have been unheard of.

However, the soaring cost of living and personal debt is the number one threat to mental health for the first time with interest rates continuing to rise.

Forty per cent of Australians feel more distressed over finances compared with last year, Suicide Prevention Australia’s annual State of the Nation report revealed.

It is the first time economic stress has overtaken social issues such as drugs, loneliness and family breakdown as the primary cause of self-harm.

Many, such as Twilight Aged Care (pictured), posted photos on social media with the simple message being for everyone to touch base with friends, family or colleagues and ask the simple question.