Thursday 12th September is R U OK? Day. The R U OK? campaign focuses on interpersonal relationships and mental health, by encouraging action when we can see a loved one, a friend, or an acquaintance doing it tough, by asking “Are you OK?”.
Occasionally we may have a feeling that something isn’t quite as it should be with someone we care about. Maybe they’re acting differently or aren’t quite being themselves. Sometimes it can be hard to say what is different, but there is a sense that something is not okay. This is a good time to listen to yourself and reach out.
Asking “Are you OK?” can change a life.
“But what if I don’t know what to say??”
Don’t worry, R U OK has you covered, by using the Acronym “ALEC”!
1) Ask! We open the door for a conversation, and it is better to say something than to say nothing.
a. “Are you OK?”, “How are you, really?”, “I’ve know things have been pretty brutal recently. How you holding up?”
2) Listen! We show people that we are there for them. We don’t have to know how to fix a problem, or even know what to say. Acknowledge that they are going through something tough, or sit with them in silence. We are there for them.
3) Encourage Action! We offer support and encouragement. Help them reach out to a professional, ask them what resources they have been able to use in the past. Help them set up an appointment with their GP. What would help lower the threshold to connect with a GP or other professional? Do they have someone who could take them?
4) Check in! Follow up with them. Check in and see how they are travelling. Again, it is about being there for them and showing that we care.
Getting the help we need when our mental health is not doing well is often difficult. It can feel like even starting the process requires an effort we don’t possess the energy and strength for. This is why ALEC is helpful. We can help others get the help they need by starting the conversation and supporting them through the process.
The following links contain more information on R U OK, and other supports for people experiencing difficult times.
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
Mensline – 1300 78 99 78
QLife (LGBTQI+ Support) – 1800 184 527
13YARN (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support) – 13 92 76