R U OK? Day (Australia)
Also known as
R U OK Day
Observed
on November 29th (2009)
on October 7th (2010)
on September 15th (2011)
the second Thursday in September (since 2012)
Dates
Founded by
Gavin Larkin in 2009
Hashtags
Sources
R U OK?, a suicide prevention charity, and R U OK? Day, its "national day of action," were founded in 2009 by Gavin Larkin. Larkin had lost his father, Barry Larkin, to suicide in 1995, and he created the movement and the day to honor his father, to encourage more people to take the time to reach out to those struggling with life, and to protect other families from the pain he endured.
R U OK? Day is "dedicated to reminding people to regularly check in with family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors." It functions as a reminder "that every day is the day to ask, 'are you OK?'" and to start meaningful conversations when it's apparent someone is struggling. R U OK? offers resources to facilitate change in the workplace, school, and community. Events are held at these locations where people are brought together and shown the R U OK? message. Common events are group discussions, gatherings centered around food, conversation panels, "wear yellow" days, and school assemblies.
How to Observe R U OK? Day (Australia)
A few ideas on how the day could be spent include:
- Explore and utilize R U OK? resources and R U OK? Day resources.
- Register your R U OK? Day event.
- Learn how to carefully ask "R U OK?"
- Fundraise for or donate to R U OK?
- Follow the R U OK? Day Facebook page and R U OK? Instagram page.
- Listen to stories on the Chit Chat Channel, or share your own story.
- Watch the Australian Story episodes Beyond OK and Brand New Day.
- If you need someone to talk to about if U R OK, call a crisis line.