Jaelea Skehan

Skip to navigationSkip to contentSkip to footer news, local-news, RUOK, COVID, mental health, Jaelea, Skehan, depression, Everymind Today is R U OK? Day, a national day dedicated to reminding us to check in regularly with family and friends. I am a long-time supporter of the R U OK? movement and have been involved on a number of their advisory groups. But this year might be the hardest year yet for the R U OK? message. Not because it isn't needed; in fact, it is probably needed more than ever before.

Video above: Sydney cares for her mum, who has multiple sclerosis. Full episode on SBS On Demand. Victoria’s royal commission into mental health today turns its attention to the families and carers of people living with mental illness. An estimated 2.8 million Australians provide practical day-to-day and emotional support for someone they care about. Of those informal carers, around 240,000, or 8.6 per cent, are looking after someone with a mental illness. And this number is likely an underestimate.

Victoria’s royal commission into mental health today turns its attention to the families and carers of people living with mental illness. An estimated 2.8 million Australians provide practical day-to-day and emotional support for someone they care about. Of those informal carers, around 240,000, or 8.6%, are looking after someone with a mental illness. And this number is likely an underestimate. Carers often support loved ones with multiple difficulties.