Furthermore, while the Christmas and summer holiday period is a time of celebration and connection with family and friends for most, for some it can be a difficult time that may involve loneliness and isolation. However, it has also been a year of maintaining mental health and wellbeing across the community, and people are recognising of the power of connection. Connection with others is a powerful tool in the prevention of suicide, especially when supported with the knowledge of how to check in on family members and peers.

#Check5 is a grassroots social media campaign, developed by Open Arms, that builds on a suicide prevention campaign that started in Townsville, Operation Compass’ ‘Check Your Mates’. The premise of ‘Check5’ is simple - check in with five mates and challenge them to check in with five others, following up with a social post to encourage others to do the same. It is also supported by resources to assist all of us to feel confident to reach out to our network.

Campaigns like #Check5 remind us of the power we have to improve each other’s wellbeing and of the range of mental health support services that are available, including the vital and complementary role you and your organisation provides. Open Arms ask you to join with them in supporting this campaign.

Open Arms is asking all connected to the veteran community to:

• educate themselves - learn how to connect and have difficult conversations
• take action - engage your network to provide support over the holiday period, through accepting the challenge to check in with five mates and challenging them to do the same.

Find out more at www.openarms.gov.au/check-5