The community you want starts at your front door

hello • 4 February 2019

Did you know people living in neighbourhoods that are highly connected enjoy, overall, higher levels of physical and mental health?


That’s why today, we’re encouraging you to join us in getting behind Australia’s annual celebration of community and connection – Neighbour Day. This year’s theme is ‘loneliness – what can neighbours do to create connections.’


In the lead up to this year’s Neighbour Day on Sunday, March 31 we’re encouraging you to find ways that you can create meaningful connections with your neighbours to help end loneliness of Australia.


What are the benefits of reaching out to your neighbours?

Good relationships with neighbours can change communities and have a positive effect on everybody within the community. Other benefits can include:

developing new friendships

feeling an increased sense of security

being able to ask your neighbour to keep an eye on your home, collect your mail or feed your pet while you're away on holidays. Even give you that extra egg or cup of sugar when you need it.


Why is social connection in your neighbourhood so important?

We know social connections are good for our mental and physical health but sadly as we get older our social network can shrink and the risk of feeling lonely increases. By taking time to reach out to older people who may be feeling socially isolated you can change this. We all feel better when we belong and getting involved in Neighbour Day's a great place to start.


If you reach out to a Neighbour and they aren’t ok, what can you do?

Starting the conversation is a great first step. To help them out, try these simple steps:

1.Ask R U OK? Find the right time and place and start a conversation

2.Listen with an open mind. Don’t try and fix the problem. Instead, let them know they’re not alone and you’re there for them

3.Ask some question that can help them identify possible next steps

4.Check in - Stay in touch and ask how they are again soon

For more suggestions, visit: https://ruok.org.au/how-to-ask


What can you do to create connections this Neighbour Day?

R U OK? Is encouraging all Australian’s to get involved in Neighbour Day on Sunday 31 March 2019. It can be as simple as a few friendly words across the back fence. If you are feeling like taking it a step further and being a true legend, you could invite an elderly neighbour for a cuppa, organise a community get together, or make an effort to stop for a chat with someone when you’re walking the dog.


You can access free material to help you organise a successful Neighbour Day event – including posters, invitations, connection cards, selfie signs, flyers and helpful tips here.


If you’re hosting an event, be sure to register on the Neighbour Day website.

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Announcement from the CEO, Katherine Newton

by Katherine Newton • 16 October 2025
After ten years of teamwork, partnerships, growth, and countless conversations, I will be stepping down as CEO from 1 December 2025. It has been an extraordinary privilege to contribute to the growth of this movement and to witness meaningful change before my eyes. Gavin Larkin founded R U OK? because he believed conversation has the power to change lives. One seemingly simple question, when asked with genuine intent and care, can start a meaningful and sometimes complex conversation. And that’s what Gavin wanted. For people to look beyond responses of “I’m fine” or “All good” and ask, “Are you really OK?”. The notion of going deeper with conversations, of asking a second time, of trusting our guts and moving past our hesitation - is being grasped and moving beyond one day to any day. Whilst saying “G’day how are you?” will always be a greeting - we can do more. When Gavin lost his father to suicide he wanted to try and protect other families from the pain his endured. He wanted to get people talking and having real chats about how they’re feeling with their mates, their family and their colleagues. In locker rooms, lunch rooms, and lounge rooms across the nation. But he approached it from a different angle. Gavin wanted all of us to have the confidence to support the people we care about who might be struggling with life. To make conversations a natural part of our behaviour, to openly show our signals of support. So as R U OK? generations continue to evolve, my chapter is coming to a close. How fortunate I am to have been part of the story. From hesitant glances during presentations in 2015 to queues of people waiting for a conversation in 2025. From yellow wigs in the office, to welcoming yellow-swathed Ambassadors to share their lived experience. From yellow coffee cups in a café, to yellow cars driving into communities nationwide. And yes, there’s been a few cupcakes along the way. Social change is happening, and we are all a part of it. No one organisation can prevent suicide, no one individual can save everyone - but the power of many can make a difference.
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