It's R U OK? Day tomorrow. A conversation could change a life.

In the lead up to R U OK? Day, I had the privilege of talking to Years 7 to 12 at my daughter's school yesterday about the importance of asking "are you ok?". I'd like to share the same important message with you

In 2009, R U OK?'s founder Gavin Larkin wanted to address one of his biggest personal challenges. That was - explaining to his kids why their grandfather wasn't around.

Gavin's father Barry Larkin, was successful in business but like many Australians, was struggling behind the scenes and fighting a personal battle with depression. Over a period of time, Barry withdrew from friends and family and isolated himself from the world. Sadly, in the mid 1990's Barry Larkin took his own life. 

Gavin wanted to make sure that other families didn't have to walk in the shoes that he and his family did, so he set out to make some change and in 2009 R U OK? was born and the first R U OK?Day took place on 10 September.

Tragically, cancer ended Gavin's life in 2011 but his passion and vision started a movement that is now one of Australia's most recognisable health promotion and suicide prevention campaigns.  

2017 is the organisations ninth year. 

As a health promotion campaign, R U OK? doesn't focus on the person who needs help. Instead, we focus on the help-giver - to better equip people to have a conversation with someone we're worried about. 

It's not always about mental illness either. It's about getting alongside someone when times get tough. 

Maybe they're not turning up to things, or not answering your calls. Maybe school is getting on top of them and they're just not coping. 

Maybe they've had a significant life event. They've lost someone. They've had a relationship breakdown. They've lost their job. 

Maybe you can't quite put your finger on it but your gut tells you that something's not quite right.

In 2017, R U OK? wants to remind all Australians that we've all got what it takes to support a friend or a loved one who's doing it tough. 

This reaching out to someone you know—a friend, a school mate, a family member—can make such a difference:

? It can change lives.

? It can even save lives.

Because when we say R U OK? we are really saying:

? We care.

? That support is never far away.

? That we are all part of a community.

? That you are never alone.

And we all have what it takes to ask the question.

Our eyes, ears and mouths are all we need to ask, to listen and to connect with another person.

Unfortunately, it is so often the Australian way to bottle up our feelings, to say ‘everything is fine’.

We shouldn’t—but we do.

Sometimes we see asking for help or accepting help as a weakness, something to be ashamed of.

It’s not of course.

And when someone does say ‘things aren’t that great’ we need to be ready to follow up:

? To listen.

? To encourage action.

? And to check back in to see how things are going.

They're 4 simple steps. 

Ask

Listen

Encourage Action

Check in

It doesn't mean the conversation is going to be easy - but it might just help stop a small problem from becoming a big problem and when asked authentically, can help someone feel more connected and supported.

As Gavin Larkin said - and it remains our slogan today - A conversation could change a life. 

https://www.ruok.org.au/