RUOK Day 2021

Today is Australia's #RUOKDay  (September 9) – a day that proves meaningful conversations can transform lives.

Now more than ever, it’s important to ask each other – RU OK?. This year’s RU OK? message is “are they (you) really ok” – as close as we might be to our friends, families and colleagues, do we know if they are really ok?

Take a minute to look at how we have these conversations. We may have always asked these questions but often the questions and the answers are on autopilot, especially with work colleagues.

For example:

• How are you?  “Good thanks! How are you?”
• Are you okay?  “I’m fine”
• Or we often reply with a thumbs up or smiley face on teams or via text

If you're feeling concerned about someone, or want to know what's on their mind, you can help them open up with questions like:

- It's been a while. How are you doing?
- You seem less chatty than usual. What’s been happening recently?
- Hey, how are you feeling today?

These conversations don’t need to be perfect. Just showing that you are there, you may have noticed a change and that you are ready to listen without judgement can turn these conversations from autopilot to a conversation that can really change a life.

These conversations can eliminate the stigma around mental health issues, and helps people work through their challenges. No one deserves to suffer in silence. And no one deserves to go it alone. So we challenge to everyone to get very active on #RUOKDay day.

Remember these conversations are often continuous so here are some steps to help you:

1. Ask
2. Listen
3. Encourage Action
4. Check-in

Here is a great video to help you start the conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGrXheJQW8U