R U OK? DAY
“R U OK? DAY” highlights the importance of checking in on your family, friends and colleagues by asking “R U OK?”. It is a great opportunity and a reminder to instigate a conversation to check on each other’s mental health and emotional well-being.
“R U OK?” is an Australian Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) launched in 2009 to accomplish its mission of suicide prevention.
This article will address the importance of looking out for people in your network, it provides guidance on how to ask if someone is okay and outlines how you can support R U OK? DAY.
Why is it important to ask “R U OK?”
The importance of mental health
Maintaining relationships and well-being with people in your direct network – this can include family, friends, and colleagues – is important as it assists in supporting overall mental wellbeing. Read more about why relationships, specifically friendships are important for your mental health – here
How important is it?
Mental health is equally as important as physical health, but often gets ignored or mismanaged as it is not as visible as a physical condition. Sometimes, it is easier for a third person to recognise that something is going on with your emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
Why is it important?
Mental health matters because it affects overall health. Poorly managed mental health conditions could affect your daily life tasks as it causes a reduction in motivation, productivity and overall performance.
Further to this, it could have an impact on your physical health, symptoms can include:
- Chronic pain;
- Digestion problems;
- Tiredness;
- Sleeping issues;
- Eating disorders.
Suicide and mental health
The Department of Health and Aged Care states that 1 in 2 adults in Australia faces some symptoms of a mental health illness in their lifetime. In 2019 almost 3,000 people ended their life due to suicide. With depression, people often think that they have no other way to get away from the situation they’re in, other than death. It means their aim is actually not to commit suicide, but rather to remove the fear and worries from their life. Thus, it is important to have foundational knowledge about suicide prevention and mental illness.
Lifeline Australia offers professional help, which is available 24/7. Reach out now at 13 11 14
How to ask “R U OK?”
To start the conversation, “R U OK?” suggests four steps to ask someone how they are doing.
Step 1. Ask the simple question, “Are you okay?”.
The key is to be relaxed and friendly. It is important to make the situation as comfortable as possible. You could start with general conversation, such as asking, “Hey, how are you?”, “How is everything going?”, “How was your weekend?” and more. If you think everyone in the room feels comfortable enough, you can finally bring up the specific things that made you concerned or worried.
Step 2. Listen to their story with an open mind.
It is important to take the words that come out of their mouth seriously, so you can build bonding and trust. No matter what, never make fun of the person who is sharing their worries and stories. It is also important to take some time, so they can have deep thought and digest the information from a third person’s point of view.
Step 3. Encourage action.
Ask what kind of help you can offer, and find out what kind of help they are looking for from you. Potentially, you could also share your life lessons or advice to the person, only if they ask for one. It is important to suggest ways to get professional help too so they receive the proper support they need.
Step 4. Check in frequently to make sure things are improving.
Make sure to let them know that you care about them, and that they have your continued support. Check up on them to see how they are feeling and whether they have found ways to get back on track to being ok. If not, share ways they could seek professional help.
Ideas for supporting R U OK? DAY
Host events
“R U OK?” suggests organising get-together events for your workplace, extended family, school, or local community group. This could be just a casual catch-up or it could be an official gathering to share useful resources and your thoughts on mental health wellbeing. Throughout the event, it is important to make sure that everyone is doing ok, as well as to make sure that people know what to do or say when someone is not okay. For more information – check here.
Drop by to see your loved ones, and ask “R U OK?”
Pop in to visit those in your life who are important to you by dropping in with some afternoon tea to visit loved ones, arrange a catch up with a friend or or swing past a colleague’s desk who hasn’t quite seemed themselves. Review the “How-to” steps above and remember how important non-judgemental listening is.
Donate to “R U OK?”
If this is a subject close to your heart, and you would like to donate directly to the “R U OK” click here. Moneies donated will be used to accomplish their mission – and to help reduce suicide in Australia.
Get help
If you or someone in your life is not ok, remember there is professional help available for you to support you during this tough time.
- If you are in an emergency or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.
- You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 confidential support from a trained Lifeline crisis supporter.
- If you are based in VIC, you can reach out to the local help. Here are some useful links to the local organisations: head to health, The Victorian Government, Better Health Channel, and BetterHelp.
- If you are based in SA, you can reach out to the local help. Here are some useful links to the local organisations: Government of South Australia, UnitingSA, and Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (UMHCC).
- If you are based in WA, you can reach out to the local help. Here are some useful links to the local organisations: HealthyWA,Government of Western Australia, and Think Mental Health WA
