Thursday 11 September is National RUOK? Day.
New insights released by R U OK? reveals young people are leading the way in regularly supporting each other and asking, ‘are you OK?’.The findings come as people around Australia today, 11 September, mark R U OK?Day. It is a national day of action that reminds everyone to ask R U OK? any day, because regular, meaningful conversations can – and do – change lives.
The insights reveal an overwhelming majority of those aged 16 – 24 years (94%) supported someone at least once in the past month and across the previous year, 57% have more regularly been asking others, ‘are you OK?’.“As someone who has spent nearly twenty years in education, and as a parent who has experienced the heartbreak of losing a son to suicide, I see how much is changing across generations,” said educator and R U OK? Community Ambassador, Kate Jones.
“When I look at young people today, I see them leading the way in how they care for each other. They’re having open, honest conversations that my generation simply didn’t have.
“When I was a student forty years ago, mental health was never spoken about,” Ms Jones reflected. “What I see now is a generation stepping into spaces that were once silent. Their willingness to ask the tough questions gives me real hope that the future will be safer and more connected.”
Seventeen years since the first R U OK?Day, the organisation continues to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with those in their world and lend support when they are struggling with life.
Education, workplace, and community resources can be found at ruok.org.au and include the four steps of an R U OK? conversation, ALEC (Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, and Check In).