Today is R U OK? Day – the annual National Day of Action for the R U OK? charity – held on the second Thursday in September.
Having meaningful conversations with children, family, friends and colleagues can help them feel connected and supported through life’s ups and downs.
Ask R U OK? Listen Encourage Action Check InThe message for R U OK? Day 2023 is: R U OK? I'm here to hear. It's about asking the people you care about, 'are you OK?' and genuinely listening to what they have to say. This message comes in response to research which has underscored the positive impact a genuine conversation can have on someone who is struggling with life.
It found that important factors to encourage an open and honest conversation are:
- Trust: the person asking is someone they trust.
- Authenticity: the person asking genuinely wants to hear the answer and is actively listening.
- Environment: the conversation is happening in a relatively private space with enough time to share what they want to say.
R U OK? Day is a day to highlight the importance of meaningful conversations, but every day is the day to start them. You can help us to make this a part of every day by encouraging the people in your community to be aware it's time to ask, 'are you OK?' if they spot these signs:
- Changes in what someone is saying or expressing
- Changes in how someone is behaving or what they’re doing
- Consider what's going on in their life
You don't have to wait until someone is in crisis to ask, 'are you OK?'. Make meaningful conversations a part of your everyday relationships with friends, family, team mates and colleagues.
Sometimes during an R U OK? conversation, the person might say they’re not OK or become emotional. They might be angry, frustrated, or tearful. The best thing to do when this happens is to let them fully express their emotions and reassure them by actively listening to all they say. You don’t have to have the answers or be able to solve their problems, but you can help them consider the next steps and actions they can take to manage their situation.
If you think they need further support, Head to Health can be a good place to start. It's a free directory of Australia’s mental health services and resources. You could also call a crisis support service like Lifeline on 13 11 14 for immediate support and advice. If you believe someone’s life is in danger, call 000 (triple zero).
You can find tips to help you know when to ask, ‘are you OK?’, and what to say if someone says they’re not OK at ruok.org.au. The website also has a directory of national helplines if someone needs extra support. You can also find some resources and contact details on our blog post, Supporting Mental Health.
Don’t forget, if you’re doing it tough or need someone to talk to, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Together, let’s encourage everyone to stay connected and make asking, 'are you OK?’ part of their everyday.
Sources: Thank you to the R U OK website and newsletter.
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