You don’t have to be an expert to ask R U OK?
This Thursday 8th September marks R U OK Day; a national day to inspire and empower everyone to connect meaningfully with the people around them and start a conversation with those who may be struggling with different challenges.
It’s a chance to remind us that we don’t need to be an expert to reach out – we just have to be a good friend and a great listener.
At LiveBetter, we are a proud, regional organisation. We know there’s lots of good things about living and working outside Australia’s bigger cities, but that it also has its unique challenges. Fewer services, isolation and extreme weather events are just a few of the things that can be harder to deal with.
And we’re generally a proud and stoic bunch out here in regional and rural Australia, so someone you know might not always tell you if they’re struggling. Sometimes it’s up to us to trust our gut instinct and ask someone ‘Are you ok?’
And although R U OK Day is just one day in the year, we should be keeping the message alive every day. For this reason, we have compiled a list of different resources for you to refer to, if you think you might need to check in on a mate, work colleague, customer or loved one at any point throughout the year.
The Mateship Manual for Rural and Remote Areas
Are you someone who is a bit more visual? Prefer watching a video more than reading? You can also have a look through this video below explaining the importance of asking ‘Are you ok?’:
There are also plenty of professional services available for you to reach out for advice and assistance on how to support someone who is struggling with life. You can find a list of places to get help here.