R U OK? Day is all about starting the conversation that could save a life.
Eight people take their own lives in Australia every day
R U OK, The Australian suicide prevention charity, aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.
Day-to-day life can get pretty hectic pretty quickly and can change one’s outlook on life in an instant. It is when someone is going through a tough time that the simple question ‘R U OK?’ from a friend, work colleague, partner or someone close, can have an everlasting impact.
Founded by Gavin Larkin who tragically lost his father to suicide in 1995, he championed the question ‘R U OK?’ as a means to honour his father while trying to protect families by advocating the message that a simple conversation could change a life, even as cancer ended his in 2011.
Research shows that eight people take their own lives in Australia every day. Thirty will attempt suicide and nine in 10 of us know someone who has made a suicide attempt.
The factors that increase someone’s risk of suicide include feeling isolated or disconnected, believing they’re a burden on others and having the means to take their life.
This year we want to continue Gavin’s legacy and spread CEO Katherine Newton’s idea that starting regular and meaningful conversations lead to stronger relationships, meaning you are more likely to spot the signs of someone struggling and be able to help them get the support they need long before they are in crisis.
Sometimes these conversations can be uncomfortable but being there for someone with a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear and an open mind can make all the difference and change a life. By checking in regularly, you open the door to trust while normalising the idea of talking about what’s really going on in one’s life.
Together, we can build stronger relationships by following the guidelines set out by R U OK? because… you don’t need to be an expert to reach out - just a good friend and a great listener.
We all have a role to play in building a community where people feel supported and connected, so let’s look out for each other throughout life’s ups and downs whether they are big or small.
