Holistic - R U OK?

R U OK? Day falls on September 12 for 2024, but R U Ok? encourages year-round conversations, 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. 

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 don’t just struggle on one day of the year,’” said Dr Coulson, who earned his Psychology PhD from the University of Wollongong and is known for his parenting advice.

“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,” shared Dr Coulson. “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,” he said.

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 and research shows when people feel connected and have a sense of belonging, it’s 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.

Please 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,” said Dr Coulson. 

Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day. 

Visit ruok.org.au for free tips and tools to build the Ask R U OK? Any Day message across your year.

Lifeline provides free and confidential crisis support at any time of day or night. 

Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online at: lifeline.org.au. 

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