R U OK? Day 2024: ‘Ask R U OK?, Any Day’.
Today Thursday 12/9, on their National Day of Action, R U OK? are calling on all Australians to ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day.
Thousands of community groups, workplaces, schools, suicide prevention networks, and sports clubs across the nation, from the Top End to Tasmania, will come together to champion the Ask R U OK? Any Day message and encourage meaningful conversations throughout the year.
“R U OK? started as a National Day of Action, but it’s grown into a conversation movement,” said Katherine Newton, R U OK? CEO. “People are acknowledging that you shouldn’t wait until R U OK?Day to have this conversation. Asking R U OK? Any Day can help ensure the people you care about feel supported and connected.”
The Ask R U OK? Any Day message comes as new research1 reveals a disconnect between a primary barrier to initiating R U OK? conversations, and how people feel on the receiving end of a supportive R U OK? conversation.
For those who noticed someone struggling but did not reach out, 31% said it was because they didn’t want to invade their privacy. However, only 4% of those regularly asked, ‘Are you OK?’ felt the question was an invasion of privacy.
“We want to reassure Australians that asking R U OK? makes the people in our world feel supported, grateful, and genuinely cared about,” said Ms Newton. “When we have strong relationships and know someone well, there is already an element of trust. That’s where asking, ‘Are you OK?’ comes through with sincerity. We can build confidence to have R U OK? conversations by making it a regular everyday behaviour.”
Concerns about invasion of privacy increased to almost half (47%) when respondents felt the person struggling might be experiencing financial stress.
Scott Pape OAM, otherwise known as The Barefoot Investor, has lent his voice to the Ask
R U OK? Any Day message to encourage Australians to support each other through money worries.
“Chances are, someone close to you is stressing about money. That’s because right now more than half of Aussies are struggling to make ends meet. Yet most people stress in silence, because there’s a lot of shame and guilt and fear of judgement when it comes to money,” said Mr Pape.
“If you think someone you know is struggling with their finances, let them know that they don’t have to do it on their own,” continued Mr Pape. “They can call the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) and speak to a free financial counsellor like me — the service is free, independent, and totally confidential.”
“Remember, as a friend or loved one, it’s unlikely you can solve their financial challenges or offer financial advice so there is nothing wrong with turning to experts for help,” reiterated Ms Newton.
R U OK? will stream a free R U OK?Day virtual event at midday today (AEST) featuring personal stories of lived experience and practical conversation tips, including the four steps of an R U OK? conversation (ALEC – Ask, Listen, Encourage Action and Check in). For those unable to join, the pre-recorded event is available on the R U OK? website for those wishing to showcase it within their own R U OK? activities.
In a year where the mental health of young people has been front of mind for many Australians, Broome-based Amaleed Al-Maliki, 25, has volunteered as an R U OK? Community Ambassador.
“I wanted to share the R U OK? message in my community because there have been so many times that it’s made a positive difference to me and others I have asked,” shared Ms Al-Maliki. “When we’re given the chance to open up and let things off our chest, whether it’s something considered small or big, it does change people’s lives.”
“When people close to me ask how I am and make time to listen without judgement, it helps me feel connected, seen, heard and loved,” added Ms Al-Maliki. “Even when I’m asked, and I am travelling OK, it still makes me feel cared about, and that makes a difference.”
Ms Al-Maliki defines why she believes asking ‘are you OK?’ is not an invasion of privacy.
“Asking R U OK? is an invitation to open up. It’s about asking your way, that makes sense to your friendship,” said Ms Al-Maliki. “Be mindful of who else is around and how long you have to chat. If you make that space, it’s not an invasion of privacy because the person being asked has the choice if they want to share or not.”
R U OK? resources are available to support friends, family, and colleagues as they navigate the ups and downs of life. Free resources are available for preschool, primary, secondary, and tertiary education settings, trainees and apprentices, workplaces, sporting communities, and senior Australians to help everyone stay connected.
R U OK? also provides free resources for specific communities such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, members of the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies, and those who are neurodiverse to ensure tailored approaches are relevant and easily accessed.
R U OK? resources are now available in multiple languages and Auslan.
Lifeline provides free and confidential crisis support at any time of day or night. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online at: lifeline.org.au.
13YARN is a free 24/7 service offering crisis support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. Call 13YARN (13 92 76).
About R U OK?
- R U OK? is a suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that aims to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling with life.
- A renowned suicide prevention theory is that of Dr Thomas Joiner2. Joiner’s theory describes three forces at play in someone at risk of suicide, one of which is a decreased sense of belonging. This lack of belonging and sense of connection is what R U OK? are working to prevent.
- R U OK?Day is an annual National Day of Action; held on the second Thursday of September (12 September 2024) when we remind everyone to, Ask R U OK? Any Day because a conversation could change a life.
- Throughout the year R U OK? delivers free resources that increase the willingness and confidence of all Australians to recognise the signs someone is struggling, start a genuine conversation and lend appropriate support. R U OK? also tailors these resources to meet the needs of targeted population groups and settings.
- R U OK? draws on the valuable lived experience of Australians in the development of all campaigns.
- R U OK?Day was founded in 2009 by adman Gavin Larkin who tragically lost his father to suicide in 1995. Larkin (who died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011) wanted to spare other families the grief his family endured.
