R U OK Day 2022

R U OK? Day is Thursday 8 September 2022, a national day of action to remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, 'are you OK?'

Because there’s so many wonderful services out that you can give people the information about so they can access them.” His legacy is a national Conversation Movement that is equipping Australians with the skills and confidence to support those struggling with life. - Ask R U OK? R U OK? “If we ask, R U OK? For more tips on how to have a life changing conversation on R U OK?

Australians are being reminded they already have what it takes to support people in their life who are stru...

Genuine care and concern can make a real difference," R U OK? "Stay in touch and be there for them. This includes asking questions like "How would you like me to support you?" - Encourage them to explain: "How are you feeling about that?" I'm happy to help find that person." or "What's something you can do for yourself right now?"

Mental health and suicide prevention have become critical topics of public discussion in the last few decades. Awareness of mental illness has been advanced by ...

Poverty and discrimination [cause harm](https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/746ded57-183a-40e9-8bdb-828e21203175/aihw-aus-221-chapter-4-2.pdf.aspx). [listen](https://www.southpacificprivate.com.au/how-to-respond-when-someone-discloses-trauma/). [Survivors of trauma](https://www.openminds.org.au/news/understanding-trauma-and-ptsd) often have [poor physical and mental health](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/stress-and-trauma). [online programs and checklists](https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/), mental health symptoms can overlap with a number of physical diseases, including thyroid disease, anaemia and even diabetes or heart disease. Mental illnesses can be short term or lifelong, mild to severe, and cover a range of symptoms including [distressing thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/signs-mental-health-issue). [continue to rise](https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/first-insights-national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing-2020-21). [deeper existential issues](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/30/covid-is-an-existential-crisis-that-comes-from-an-awareness-of-your-own-freedoms), particularly in adolescence. [trauma](https://www.phoenixaustralia.org/your-recovery/) can have memories, experiences and emotions that affect them daily, often without warning. [Health care workers](https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health-services-in-australia/report-contents/mental-health-workforce), [teachers](https://mhfa.com.au/schools) and [community members](https://mhfa.com.au/) have increased their capacity and expertise in mental health work. Are we just [performing empathy](https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2017/feb/07/empathy-is-crucial-to-being-a-good-person-right-think-again) without purpose, making a token query that is ultimately futile? [critical topics](https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/what-were-doing-about-mental-health) of public discussion in the last few decades. [RUOK Day](https://www.ruok.org.au/), it is understandable we feel unsure a simple question can make a difference.

An Aussie woman has revealed the simple question that saved her life as a 19-year-old girl and why she thinks everyone should be asking their loved ones the ...

steps, we can all save a life.” “The person may just need a chat and that is all, but they also could have been considering suicide and by following the R U OK? “Finding the right support person whether that be a GP, a counsellor, a psychologist, is like finding a boyfriend or girlfriend, you aren’t going to vibe with everyone but you don’t stop looking for the person that will help,” she said. “To the people that said ‘toughen up’ I would say if I could I would and I hope they never have to experience a mental illness and realise ‘just getting over it’ is not an option.” “I think we have come a long way in the past 10 years in the mental health space but there are still people with this perspective, that still think depression and other mental illness’ aren’t like all other medical conditions that need proper care,” she said. “She wasn’t qualified in any way to deal with mental illness, but she recognised something was wrong, she asked the question and essentially she saved my life,” she said.

Trigger Warning: This story discusses suicide, which might be distressing to some readers. For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 ...

Visit ruok.org.au for more resources and tips and to see how you can get involved in R U OK? Someone may be more comfortable talking in a private space when there is sufficient time for both parties to have a meaningful conversation. Everyday is an opportunity to ask a loved one if they are okay. So now is the perfect opportunity to learn how to check in with family and friends. The simple question, “are you okay?” was chosen to honour Barry Larkin’s death and to prevent other families from experiencing the loss of a family member through suicide. September 8 is R U OK?

Thursday September 8 marks R U OK? Day 2022. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2020) reports that 8 Australians take their lives...

But I have the tools and the resources to go out and speak to people” Burke said. “You don’t have to walk this path of depression alone. They really want to help.” People really want to listen. “When you are in depression, you don’t want to burden people with your problems. I didn’t really let anyone know about it.”