Australians are encouraged to ask those around them a simple question at any time.
Are you all right?
Research shows that people who are regularly asked if they are doing well feel “more supported, connected and cared.”
With more than 70 percent of Australians reporting increased stress levels, RU OK? is urging Australians to have conversations with their loved ones all year round.
According to RU OK? CEO Katherine Newtown, supportive behaviour around RU OK? Day increases each year, but Australians should not wait until the national day of action to find out if people around them are coping.
“We don’t want people to wait until September to help those around them who may be struggling, because life goes on every day,” she said.
“Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner or teammate, the people you care about experience the ups and downs of life every day.”
Following the death of his beloved nephew Logan, Parental Guidance host Dr Justin Coulson reiterated his call for Australians to have more conversations throughout the year.
“I was always the first to say, ‘Are you OK? It’s a great day, but people don’t just have problems one day a year,'” Dr. Coulson said.
“It wasn’t until we lost my nephew Logan that I started to look deeper into RU OK? and understand that this message is about regular, meaningful conversations.
Mr Coulson said the loss of Logan had been “unbearable at times”.
“Friends provided practical support, such as bringing us food. While that was helpful, it was nowhere near as helpful as the hour-long conversation we had when they brought us the food – and they continued to take the time to listen to us in our grief,” he said.
“Conversations, words, opening up, laughing, crying, sharing, telling stories, celebrating – these are all ways we can add meaning to our relationships and make the people in our world feel seen, heard and valued.”
Dr Coulson said that by implementing these behaviors in every interaction, you can build trust and normalize talking about “what’s really going on.”
“When people in your world are in trouble, they know you are someone they can talk to,” he said.
RU OK? The day will take place on September 12th.