RU OK? is calling on everyone to ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day.
The reminder comes as 72% of Australians are reporting elevated levels of distress.
However, R U OK? research has found an overwhelming majority (90%) of people who are regularly asked R U OK? feel more supported, connected and cared about.
R U OK chief executive Katherine Newton said there was an increase in supporting behaviours around R U OK?Day, a National Day of Action.
“However, we do not want people waiting until September to reach out to the people in their world who might be struggling because life happens every day,” she said.
Dr Justin Coulson PhD agrees there’s 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 do not just struggle on one day of the year,’” Dr Coulson, who earned his Psychology PhD from the University of Wollongong and is known for his parenting advice, said.
“It was not 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.
“Conversations, words, opening up, laughing, crying, sharing, storytelling, celebrating, these are all ways we can make our relationships meaningful and ensure the people in our world feel 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 .
Ms Newton said a lot can happen in a year, a month, a week.
“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,” she said.
Importantly, research shows when people feel connected and have a sense of belonging, it’s a protective factor against suicide.
“By checking in regularly with those close to you, you can help prevent small things from becoming big things,” Ms Newton said.
