Here are some tips and downloadable files to help make this year’s R U OK?Day on Thursday 10 September meaningful for you and your team.
The annual event was started in 2009 by Gavin Larkin OAM, R U OK?Day, a man that was a passionate champion of the fact a conversation could save a life. R U OK? is a national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone struggling with life’s ups and downs. The organisation is working to ensure everyone feels connected and is protected from suicide.
R U OK?Day is a reminder that on every day of the year we should support people who may be struggling. But there’s more to say after R U OK? For example, if someone says they’re not OK make time to listen, encourage action and check in. To help people keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK we’re encouraging everyone to learn what to say after R U OK?
We encourage all retailers to get behind this powerful day, especially given the challenges we’ve been facing as an industry. R U OK?Day gives us a chance to connect, say hello and start a conversation and look out for each other.
If you need immediate crisis or emotional support you can contact the numbers listed below.
All relevant materials and resources to support R U OK?Day and guide you and your staff into how to ask, then listen, encourage action and check in can be found here. You’ll find everything from the conversation starter guide, virtual backgrounds for your event, social tiles, videos and a presentation kit so you can organise your own events.
Downloadable templates:
- Everyday resources you can use in various industries and groups to champion the message.
Key numbers to call and share with your staff:
Useful contacts for someone who is not OK Encourage them to talk to a trusted health professional or call on these Australian crisis lines and professionals:
- Lifeline (24/7) 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
- Suicide Call Back Service (24/7) 1300 659 467 suicidecallbackservice.org.au
- Beyond Blue (24/7) 1300 224 636 beyondblue.org.au
- Kids Helpline (24/7) 1800 55 1800 kidshelpline.com.au
The key to this year are the four pillars:
1. Ask R U OK?
2. Listen.
3. Encourage action.
4. Check in.
Find out more about these steps here.
You can also follow these four steps:
1. Champions: Recruit and involve people who believe in the power of a conversation to help you organise and deliver your R U OK?Day activities. They can champion the R U OK? message in your school, workplace or community on R U OK?Day and all year round.
2. Educate and inspire: Share stories about how conversations can change lives and provide tips, resources and information about what to say after R U OK?
3. Get organised: Whether it’s a morning tea, a sausage sizzle or an online event, a well-organised activity can have a positive impact on the lives of those taking part.
4. Stay connected: Plan activities that provide opportunities (and encouragement) for people to talk to one another. They might not talk about life’s big issues, but they will get to know each other a little better and that can break down barriers for meaningful conversations in the future.
