Every year on the 12th of September we celebrate R U OK? Day. This year’s theme of ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day” highlights the importance of meaningful conversations every day, because life happens every day.
As found in the YouGov Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker September report, 74% of Australians are feeling elevated levels of distress beyond normal levels compared to this time last year due to social and economic circumstances. This figure has consistently reached 70% or above every quarter for the last two years.
Cost-of-living and personal debt has continued to be the top cause of elevated distress, with family and relationship breakdowns, housing access and affordability following closely behind.
There are some significant statistics found in this tracker report.How can you contribute?
Follow the 4 steps of an R U OK? conversation:
- Ask R U OK?
- Listen
- Encourage action
- Check in
“There is an increase in supporting behaviours around R U OK? Day, our National Day of Action. However, we don’t want people waiting until September to reach out to the people in their world who might be struggling because life happens every day.” – Katherine Newton
If you are concerned about anyone around you who isn’t behaving as they normally would, seeming agitated, down, quiet, or withdrawn, trust your instinct and check in with them. Research has found that people who are asked if they’re OK regularly feel more supported and cared about.
