Ask R U OK? every day

R U OK? Day will be officially observed on September 12, but the organisers of the national suicide preventation day are urging everyone to ask R U OK? on any day because life happens every day.

The reminder comes as 72 per cent of Australians are reporting elevated levels of distress. However, R U OK? research has found 90 per cent of people who are regularly asked R U OK? feel more supported, connected and cared about.

“There is an increase in supporting behaviours around R U OK?Day, our National Day of Action,” R U OK? chief executive officer Katherine Newton said.

“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.”

Dr Justin Coulson from the University of Wollongong agreed there was a need for R U OK? conversations throughout the year.

“I was always the first to say ‘R U OK? Day is great, but people don’t just struggle on one day of the year’,” Dr Coulson said.

“It wasn’t until we lost my nephew Logan that I looked further into R U OK? and began to understand this message is about regular, meaningful conversations.

“Losing Logan has felt unbearable at times. Friends provided practical support such as dropping off meals, which was helpful, but not nearly as helpful as the hour-long conversation we had when they dropped the meal off – and they have continued to make space to listen to us in our grief.”

Dr Coulson said conversations, words, opening up, laughing, crying, sharing, storytelling and celebrating were all ways to make relationships meaningful and ensure the people in our world felt seen, heard and valued.

“By building these into our everyday interactions, you build trust and normalise talking about what’s really going on, so when the people in your world find themselves struggling, they know you’re someone they can talk to.”

More than half of Australians experience a stressful time at least once a year, and nearly two in five Australians report high or very high levels of distress.

“A lot can happen in a year, a month, a week,” Ms Newton said.

“Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day.

Research showed when people felt connected and had a sense of belonging, it was a protective factor against suicide.

“By checking in regularly with the people close to you, you can help prevent small things from becoming big things,” Dr Coulson said.

“As Australians start to plan their R U OK? activities for this year, I’d encourage them to visit the R U OK? website to access their free, easy-to-use resources, to help us build a safer and more supportive culture not only on R U OK? Day but throughout the year.”

For more information, head to ruok.org.au

If you need immediate help, phone Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

13 YARN (13 (92 76) is a free 24/7 service offering crisis support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people.