Thursday 8 September is R U OK? Day – a National Day of Action and a reminder that every day is a day to check in with your friends, family and colleagues.
This year, R U OK? is championing the message; ‘Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed’, to remind Australians they already have what it takes to support their family, friends and colleagues.
‘Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed’ comes in response to new research which found four in ten Australians feel asking someone ‘are you OK?’ is a conversation better had with an expert.
It’s a message that is pertinent for local communities across Australia.
“Everyone experiences life’s ups and downs and in recent times there has been a lot to cope with,” said R U OK? CEO, Katherine Newton. “Natural disasters, the pandemic, world conflicts and cost of living increases have added additional pressure and emotional strain for many, and that’s not confined to one day of the year.”
Having always played an important role in promoting workplace and community wellbeing, local governments have long been champions of the R U OK? message.
R U OK? provides a range of free resources to help local government build a greater sense of connection across community and amongst council staff in the workplace. Resources include posters, conversation guides, videos and translations for linguistically diverse communities. Local governments are also encouraged to register their R U OK?Day events and activations with R U OK?.
Positively, the sharing of the R U OK? message is having an impact. The latest R U OK? research has found that when authentic, genuine R U OK? conversations are happening, more than 80 per cent of people say they are making a positive difference.
“We want to reassure Australians that you don’t need to be an expert to have an R U OK? conversation with someone in your world who might be struggling. Listening and giving someone your time might be just what they need to help them through a difficult period,” said Ms Newton.
Connecting the R U OK? message with local health networks and support services is also beneficial.
“The work of health professionals is vital, and their value cannot be underestimated, however by having regular, meaningful conversations, we can help the people we care about feel supported before they are in crisis and, if that conversation does get too big for us, we can guide them to seek professional help.”
R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling with life. One of the most renowned theories relating to suicide prevention is by Dr Thomas Joiner. Joiner’s theory describes three forces at play in someone at risk of suicide, one of which is a decreased sense of belonging. It’s this lack of belonging and sense of connection that R U OK? are working to prevent.
Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed because a conversation could change a life.
For further information, visit ruok.org.au/LGA
