We caught up with CEO of the Mental Health Coordinating Council, Carmel Tebbutt, ahead of RU OK?Day (Thursday, 10 September).

Carmel Tebbutt is perhaps best known for being the first woman to hold the position of Deputy Premier of New South Wales.

The Sydney Catholic Schools’ alumni and former NSW Minister for Education has since retired from politics and now uses her knowledge of how government works to support people on their mental health recovery journeys.

She does this through her role as the chief executive officer of the Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC), the peak body representing the community health sector in NSW.

MHCC advocates for policy development and legislative reform in the sector.

“We need to remain focused on the things we can do and that’s why RU OK?Day is so important,” Ms Tebbutt said with reference to our national day of action.

RU OK?Day is dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you OK?” and support those struggling with life’s ups and downs.

“Every day is a day to ask, ‘Are you okay?’” according to Carmel Tebbutt.

Ms Tebbutt said 45 per cent of people in their lifetime will experience a mental health condition, and one in five Australians experience mental illness in any one year.

The coronavirus pandemic and self-isolation is creating new mental health and wellbeing challenges.

“RU OK?Day opens up permission to have those conversations,” Ms Tebbutt said.

“But those conversations should happen every day if you feel a friend or a colleague is not coping.

“Pick a time when you have the time and capacity to listen.

“It’s not like there is any right way to do it. I’d say, …