‘Upper Hunter Where There’s a Will’ honoured for suicide prevention work

‘Upper Hunter - Where There’s a Will’ has received the Education Award at the 2021 Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards.

Held virtually by suicide prevention organisation R U OK?, the Awards recognise efforts to create a world where we are all connected and protected from suicide across five categories; Workplace, Education, Community, Conversation Champion and Young Conversation Champion.

The judging panel took the time to celebrate the significant contribution ‘Upper Hunter - Where There’s a Will’ is making to suicide prevention work which has opened up the conversation for many in the Upper Hunter.

‘Upper Hunter - Where There’s A Will’ is making a difference in the Muswellbrook and Upper Hunter Shires by working to improve literacy in wellbeing and mental health for students, families and the wider community.

To coincide with R U OK?Day, ‘Upper Hunter - Where There’s a Will’ launched the Act of Humanity Awards, to promote the R U OK? message. This involved schools recognising an individual or a group of friends who demonstrated support for someone in need. 

“Looking out for one another and lending support are key life skills for any age group,” says R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton. “The Education category recognises organisations and institutions that are promoting a positive environment of peer support.”

“We are truly inspired by the efforts of all the nominees for the Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards. The work from Upper Hunter - Where There’s a Will is having a very real and positive impact by encouraging others to have regular, meaningful conversations and invest more time in the people around them.”

The Awards also celebrated the life of Barbara Hocking OAM (d. 2016), one of Australia's leading advocates for people living with mental illness. 

“These Awards honour a long-time friend of R U OK? who was a leader in the mental health and suicide prevention sector,” said R U OK? Chair Mike Connaghan of Ms Hocking’s legacy.

“These Awards honour Barbara’s lifelong commitment to peer-to-peer support, highlighting that all of us can have a meaningful conversation with someone in our world who might be struggling with the ups and downs of life. Barbara was the first person from the mental health sector who believed in the merit of the R U OK? mission to break down stigma and encourage conversations that can change lives.” 

Details of all categories, finalists and winners for The Barbara Hocking Memorial Awards can be found on the R U OK? website at www.ruok.org.au/barbara-hocking-memorial-award