Support Act announces R U OK? Day panel & First Nations support line

Australian music charity Support Act has announced it will host a special online music industry panel for the forthcoming R U OK? Day.

It’s a particularly poignant time for everyone in the industry to be checking on each other, with the impact of coronavirus on jobs and the industry at large still being felt.

R U OK? Day takes place this Thursday, September 10, and Support Act is bringing together the How to Give and Get Support panel.

Hosted by triple j’s Max Quinn, the panel aims to provide helpful advice on how to both give and get support when poor mental health is impacting you or those close to you.

Brendon Love of The Teskey Brothers and country act Fanny Lumsden will also join the panel, with topics including seeking help, having tough conversations and experiences giving and getting support.

The virtual panel will join together on Zoom at 12.30pm, with registrations open now.

The panel is part of Support Act’s ongoing On My Mind series.

It follows Support Act launching a new dedicated support line for First Nations workers in the arts.

It has been set up in partnership with AccessEAP and with funding provided by the Australian Government,

By calling, those in need of support will be able to speak to a an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander clinician, or one with cultural awareness training.

“Together, the counsellor will create a culturally safe space for First Nations music and arts workers to express feelings of anxiety, depression, substance use, finance issues, and any other worries they may have,” Cerisa Grant, First Nations community engagement/social worker for Support Act said.

“The indigenous suicide rate was double that of the general population in 2015.

“This is an alarming rate for First Nations People. We hope that more First Nations music and arts workers will seek support in a culturally safe environment and make use of the Dedicated Support Line as a way of processing past injustices and the effects of intergenerational trauma”.

The First Nations support line can be reached at 1800 861 085 and is free, 24/7.

#SupportAct is pleased to facilitate a culturally safe experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, crew and music workers through the establishment of the Support Act First Nations Dedicated Support Line.

For more info: https://t.co/swMTpnkMA9 pic.twitter.com/VdLOKLoaKO

— Support Act (@SupportAct) September 5, 2020