15 Sep 🤨14th September is R U OK? Day 👍🏻 R U OK?Day is our national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone to ask, “Are you OK?” and support those struggling with life. This year the theme for R U OK? Day is “I’m here to hear?” 👂

You don’t have to be an expert 🤓to start a conversation, you can start by using the 4 steps below:

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
Together we can make a difference for someone today!

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