Young people lead the way in asking R U OK?
New insights reveal young people are leading the way in regularly supporting each other with an overwhelming majority (94%) saying they have supported someone at least once in the past month while across the previous year, 57% of those aged 16 - 24 years have more regularly been asking others, ‘are you OK?’.
In her two decades as an educator, Kate Jones has seen a powerful shift in how students support one another.
“When I look at young people today, I see them leading the way in how they care for each other. They’re having open, honest conversations that my generation simply didn’t have.
Kate Jones has seen firsthand how young people support each other through her career as an educator.
The educator from the New South Wales town of Aberdeen, is an R U OK? Community Ambassador and a passionate advocate for the power of meaningful conversations, especially in regional communities because for her, one conversation changed everything.
Grieving the death of her husband and sitting alone on a park bench, she was approached by a member of the R U OK? team, who began a quiet, compassionate conversation.
"That moment reminded me of the power of human connection, especially when it comes from a place of genuine care,” Kate said.
The strength she gained from that first conversation helped her begin to process her grief when 18 months later, her son died by suicide.
"It gave me the tools I didn't know I needed,” said Kate. “I believe we should check in any day, not only on special days.”
New data reveals Australians are stepping up
Young people are more regularly asking each other ‘are you OK?’ and initiating meaningful conversations, according to the latest R U OK? insights.
The findings coincide with R U OK?Day, a National Day of Action that encourages Australians to Ask R U OK? Any Day.
According to the data:
- 94% of people aged 16–24 said they had supported someone at least once in the past month.
- 57% reported they are more regularly asking others, ‘are you OK?’, compared to a year ago.
Addressing the confidence gap
Despite the generational shift, some people might hesitate to ask the question, because of concerns they might say the wrong thing, embarrass someone, or not know how to help.
For 19-year-old R U OK? Community Ambassador Mahir Manut, a teacher’s simple check-in proved life-changing for him.
He now encourages others to take that same step.
"To anyone worried about asking R U OK?, I'd say 'what's the worst that could happen?’. By asking, you open the door to a conversation that could be life changing.
"A conversation definitely can change a life,” said Mahir. “It changed mine."
The research supports his experience with an overwhelming majority of people feeling grateful and supported when someone asked if they were OK.
A teacher's check-in was life-changing for R U OK? Community Ambassador Mahir
Small moments make a big difference
Seventeen years since the first R U OK?Day, the movement continues to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with those in their world and lend support when they are struggling with life.
“When someone is navigating a difficult time, it’s the small moments of care from the people they trust that stay with them,” said R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton.
“It’s the hand on their shoulder, it’s the message from a friend that says, ‘I know it’s been a rough week, but I’m here’,” said Katherine. “Words that acknowledge how they’re feeling and remind them they’re not alone.
"“This is how change happens - one conversation at a time, one generation at a time."
Resources for schools, workplaces and communities are available here including guidance on the four steps of an R U OK? conversation: Ask, Listen, Encourage Action and Check In (ALEC).
Ask R U OK? Any day - because a conversation could change a life.
R U OK? has resources, including the Guide to Supporting R U OK?, a conversation guide, videos, posters, social media tiles and more to help people start more
life-changing conversations in their workplace, school and community.
