By Lucy Waldron
Despite today being R U Ok? Day, this year’s theme is ‘Ask R U OK? any day’.
The annual campaign is a national day of action highlighting the importance of meaningful conversations.
In 2024, R U OK? is calling on everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day.
The Southern Downs Suicide Prevention Network (SDSPN) are bringing this message to the region by ‘painting the town yellow’.
“SDSPN would like to paint the town yellow by asking community members to participate in this initiative and get behind this national charity dedicated to inspiring all of us to have regular, meaningful conversations to support anyone struggling with life,” President Maritta Hutley said.
The reminder to ask R U OK? comes as the Suicide Prevention Australia Community Tracker shows that 72 percent of Australians reported experiencing elevated levels of distress in the latest June data.1
R U OK? encourages Australians to check in will others all year around. Recent research commissioned by R U OK? found that people who are regularly asked if they are okay feel more supported, connected and cared about.
Katherine Newton, CEO of R U OK? said there is an increase in supporting behaviours around R U OK/ Day, our national day of action.
“However, we don’t want people waiting until September to reach out to the people in their world who might be struggling because life happens every day.”
R U OK? encourages everyone to share this message across networks to help support and promote R U OK? Day.
