Natalie Woodfull speaks as community ambassador ahead of R U OK? Day

Natalie Woodfull’s colleague noticed she no longer turned her camera on in virtual meetings. He then asked a question that changed her life.

Natalie Woodfull, who is an R U OK? ambassador this year, has lived experience with mental health challenges. Picture: Alan Barber

Natalie Woodfull had been feeling overwhelmed for more than a year when she was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety.

The Point Lonsdale 46-year-old had been struggling to focus and find motivation at work and just wanted to hibernate at home after personal and professional challenges.

The corporate worker, who is a mum of two and also has two stepkids, lost interest in socialising and exercise.

One of Mrs Woodfull’s colleagues, based interstate, noticed she was longer “chatty Natty” and did not have her camera on in virtual meetings.

Mrs Woodfull said after noticing the change in her behaviour, he reached out to ask, “Are you OK?”.

She felt comfortable telling him she was not.

Mrs Woodfull said her colleague suggested she visit her GP.

At the end of 2019, inspired by the conversation with her co-worker, she saw her doctor.

This led to seeing mental health specialists and Mrs Woodfull spent time in inpatient mental health treatment, which she described as the circuit breaker she needed.

Mrs Woodfull said her mental health now “ebbs and flows”.

“I think it will always be a part of my journey,” she said.

“Now I recognise the signs earlier and ask for help, whether it’s from friends and family or work.”

In a bid to help destigmatise mental health challenges, Mrs Woodfull is a community ambassador for suicide prevention charity R U OK?

She said asking someone if they were OK really could make a difference.

The organisation is calling on people to ask the question any day.

R U OK? chief executive Katherine Newton said a lot can happen in a year, a month or a week.

“Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate – the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day,” Ms Newton said.

R U OK? Day is on September 12.

“We don’t want people waiting … to reach out to the people in their world who might be struggling because life happens every day,” Ms Newton said.

Visit ruok.org.au for free tips and tools to build the Ask R U OK? Any Day message across your year.

Originally published as Natalie Woodfull speaks as community ambassador ahead of R U OK? Day