15 Nov 9th September 2021 is R U OK? Day 

R U OK?Day is our national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to ask, “Are you OK?”
2021 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us.You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not OK.

This year the theme for R U OK? Day is “There’s more to say after R U OK?”

Step 1. Ask R U Ok? 
Be relaxed, friendly and concerned in your approach.
Help them open up by asking questions like “How are you going?”
If they don’t want to talk, don’t criticise them.
Tell them you’re still concerned about changes in their behaviour and you care about them. Avoid a confrontation.

Step 2. Listen with an Open Mind 
Take what they say seriously and don’t interrupt or rush the conversation.
Don’t judge their experiences or reactions but acknowledge that things seem tough for them.
If they need time to think, sit patiently with the silence.

Step 3. Encourage Action 
Ask: “What have you done in the past to manage similar situations?”
Ask: “How would you like me to support you?”
If they’ve been feeling really down for more than 2 weeks, encourage them to see a health professional. You could say, “It might be useful to link in with someone who can support you. I’m happy to assist you to find the right person to talk to.”

Step 4. Check In
Pop a reminder in your diary to call them in a couple of weeks. If they’re really struggling, follow up with them sooner.You could say: “I’ve been thinking of you and wanted to know how you’ve been going since we last chatted.”
Ask if they’ve found a better way to manage the situation. If they haven’t done anything, don’t judge them. Stay in touch and be there for them. Genuine care and concern can make a real difference.

For more information, go to https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask
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