readthesigns

readthesigns is a joint initiative of MTAA Super and Lifeline Australia aimed at promoting help seeking and suicide prevention among the members of MTAA Super and employers in the retail motor trades and allied industries.

The readthesigns program was launched in September 2004, as a result of the Trustee’s concern at the numbers of suicide deaths among the Fund’s members. MTAA Super’s concern stemmed from statistics that indicated suicide accounts for 25% of deaths amongst young males aged 15-24 in Australia.

Help seeking

What is help seeking and why is it important? Help seeking, or help seeking behaviour, are terms used to refer to a person’s willingness to seek help when facing personal difficulties or challenging times in their lives.

The purpose of readthesigns is to promote help seeking by creating awareness of mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression. It also informs MTAA Super members of the best places and services to seek help when going through difficult times. The campaign also seeks to inform MTAA Super members of ways to recognise and respond to mates who might be going through a hard time.

Mental health problems make many people feel isolated; and it is important to remember that getting help can be as easy as talking things over with a friend, family member or colleague.

In most cases just being there to listen to a friend talk through their problems can be of great help. Often, after having the opportunity to talk about their concerns, people feel more able to work through their problems and reach out for further help.

More Information

The readthesigns campaign seeks to promote help-seeking behaviour in MTAA Super members by encouraging them to talk to a mate, see a doctor or call Lifeline on 13 11 14 when they are going through difficult times or experiencing mental health problems.

For more information about the campaign visit www.readthesigns.com.au. The campaign includes a range of ‘road signs’ brochures and posters for display in workplaces to raise awareness of the campaign and the importance of mental health. For more information or to order the campaign resources call 1300 362 415.