On the 14th of September, we celebrate ‘R U OK? Day’, with this year’s theme of “I’m here to hear.” This is a national day of action to remind Australians to check in with those around them to see if they’re doing OK, and how to spot the signs if someone is struggling during these conversations.
ASK – LISTEN – ENCOURAGE – CHECK IN
Every day is a day to asking people if they’re ok, and we can all make a difference in people’s lives by asking them this simple question. It’s important to trust your gut and ask this question if you notice a change in someone’s mood, words, or actions. This simple question can mean the world to someone, knowing someone has cared enough to genuinely ask them how they’re doing, and may be the starting point to reaching out for additional professional support.
The following points listed on the R U OK webpage are essential in preparing to ask someone.
AM I READY?
- Am I in a good headspace?
- Am I willing to genuinely listen?
- Can I give as much time as needed?
AM I PREPARED?
- Do I understand that if I ask how someone’s going, the answer could be: “No, I’m not okay.”?
- Do I understand that I can’t ‘fix’ someone’s problems?
- Do I accept that they might not be ready to talk? Or they might not want to talk to me?
PICKED MY MOMENT?
- Have I chosen somewhere relatively private and comfy?
- Have I figured out a time that will be good for them to chat?
- Have I made sure I have enough time to chat properly?
Check out this quiz to help you feel more confident in asking people ‘R U OK?’.
