Bridging the Confidence Gap: Empowering Local Communities to Ask R U OK? Any Day.
R U OK? is calling on local councils to focus on community connection and wellbeing, as new research highlights a confidence gap in asking the question, ‘are you OK?’
While three in four Australians believe it’s important to regularly check in with others, a third might hesitate, even when they sense someone might be struggling. This hesitation often stems from fears of saying the wrong thing, invading privacy, or not knowing how to help.
Psychologist, suicidologist, and R U OK? Board Member Ms Annie Fardell Hartley says the data tells a different story, with an overwhelming majority of people surveyed (88 per cent) feeling grateful and supported when someone asked if they were OK.
“These conversations matter and they’re often more welcome than we think,” said Ms Fardell Hartley.
“People don’t expect you to have all the answers or the perfect words. They value trust, genuine care, and someone who really listens.”
Local councils are uniquely positioned to help bridge this gap. To support this, R U OK? has developed a free quick guide tailored for local government, available at ruok.org.au/LGA.
The guide offers practical tools to help councils build a culture of connection across their communities and within their workplaces.
As people plan activities to mark R U OK?Day on Thursday 11 September, R U OK? is helping Australians bridge the confidence gap and Ask R U OK? Any Day because regular, meaningful conversations can – and do – change lives.
“R U OK?Day, our National Day of Action, is a powerful reminder, but it’s what we do regularly that truly makes a difference,” said Katherine Newton, CEO R U OK?.
“We want Australians to feel confident to check in with the people they care about – not only on R U OK?Day, but any day.
“Our research shows those who regularly have R U OK? conversations are significantly more likely to report increased feelings of wellbeing,” said Ms Newton who is pleased to note a third of Australians say they’ve been checking in with others more often over the past year — a sign that more people are actively stepping up to support those around them.
These are more than statistics; they reflect real life and for 19-year-old R U OK? Community Ambassador Mahir Munot, the message is deeply personal.
“I’ll never forget the day a teacher asked me ‘are you OK?’. I’d been in tears, feeling alone, and I was carrying more than I could handle,” said Mr Munot.
“That one question gave me the confidence to speak up for the first time, and it changed everything. I found my voice, and through it, I found strength.
“That’s why I believe we must Ask R U OK? Any Day. Because you never know when someone is silently struggling, and your words have the power to change their life.”
Mr Munot’s experience underlines how a single question can be the turning point and that we all have the power to make a difference.
R U OK?Day is Thursday, 11 September 2025. Visit ruok.org.au/LGA to download the free R U OK? guide for local councils.
