RUOK? A conversation could change a life!

Do you need a reason to love Australia? There are many, but having an RUOK day is one of them!

R U OK? is an Australian non-profit suicide prevention organisation, founded by advertiser Gavin Larkin in 2009. It revolves around the slogan “R U OK?”, and advocates for people to have conversations with others. The organisation has a dedicated R U OK?

When is R U OK day?

Day, held annually on the second Thursday of September, which encourages Australians to connect with people who have emotional insecurity, to address social isolation and promote community cohesiveness.

R U OK?Day (Thursday 9 September 2021) has become the biggest, best and brightest day of the year. Why? Because it’s an opportunity for family, friends and workmates to connect, start a conversation and make a promise to be there for each other more often.

THIS YEAR THE MESSAGE IS:
Are they really OK? Ask them today.

Do you know how the people in your world are really going?

Life’s ups and downs happen to all of us. So chances are someone you know might be struggling. Your genuine support can make a difference whatever they are facing, big or small. 

So, don’t wait until someone’s visibly distressed or in crisis. Make a moment meaningful and ask them how they’re really going. 

Are they really OK? Ask them today. Your conversation could change a life. 

R U OK? has developed FREE resources to help you encourage everyone in your school, workplace and community to think about who in their world might need to be asked how they’re really going and how to make a moment meaningful by asking “are you OK?” Sign up below to view the resources.

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The Story:

In 1995, much-loved Barry Larkin was far from ok. His suicide left family and friends in deep grief and with endless questions.
In 2009, his son Gavin Larkin chose to champion just one question to honour his father and to try and protect other families from the pain his endured.

“Are you OK?”
While collaborating with Janina Nearn on a documentary to raise awareness, the team quickly realised the documentary alone wouldn’t be enough.
To genuinely change behaviour Australia-wide, a national campaign was needed. And from this realisation, and with Gavin and Janina’s expertise and passion, R U OK? was born.
Gavin remained a passionate champion of the fact a conversation could change a life, even as cancer ended his in 2011. His legacy is a national Conversation Movement that is equipping Australians with the skills and confidence to support those struggling with life. The extraordinary story behind R U OK? was brought to life by Australian Story in 2011. In 2017, six years after they first aired the story of Gavin Larkin, they returned to his family to see how Gavin’s extraordinary legacy has helped sustain them through their grief.

For more information, please visit: https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day