R U OK? calls on Adelaide to Trust the Signs someone might be struggling with life 

hello • 28 August 2019

The nationwide R U OK? ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ visited Adelaide last Friday joined by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, The Hon Geoff Brock MP, The Hon Matt Cowdrey OAM MP, R U OK? Community Ambassadors and local support services.

The suicide prevention charity inspires and empowers all Australians to meaningfully connect with the people around them and particularly targets some of Australia’s more vulnerable communities.

In the latest release of ABS statistics, SA saw 224 suicide deaths in 2017. Per 100,000 people, the rate 12.8 is above the Australian state and territory average 12.6.

The ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ comes in the wake of research released by R U OK? that found nearly two-thirds of Australians (63%) are not confident they know the signs that someone might be struggling with life. Of those surveyed, 41% hadn’t asked someone if they were OK because they weren’t sure they knew the signs. However, there is hope, with almost 1 in 2 (49%) believing they’d be more confident starting a conversation if they knew the signs.

Having previously stopped in Perth, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gympie, Mundubbera and Charters Towers, the Tour have now crossed the border to Victoria. In total, the Tour is travelling around 14,000 kilometres visiting every state and territory and engaging 24 communities in an educational experience.

R U OK? CEO Katherine Newton says the Tour aims to build confidence in recognising when someone might be struggling so that Australians ‘Trust the Signs, Trust their Gut and Ask R U OK?’.

“We know the majority of Australians believe talking to someone who’s struggling can make a difference. But what we’re hearing, is that people aren’t sure when the right time is to have an R U OK? conversation,” said Newton.

“Signs can be subtle changes in verbal or non-verbal behaviour. A loved one might tell you they’re having difficulty switching off or a mate might be withdrawing from social situations like not turning up to training. We’re encouraging people to look out for those cues. We can also make a conscious effort when we know someone is going through a significant life change such as job loss, relationship breakdown, study pressure or perhaps becoming a parent.”

“By taking the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ around Australia, we hope to empower people to trust their gut instinct and ask the question as soon as they spot the signs that someone might be struggling with life.”

This is the sixth consecutive year R U OK? has hit the road. This year the Tour involves two dozen communities that have reached out for an R U OK? visit.

The Adelaide community also heard from R U OK? Community Ambassador Chris Savill as well as Dr Lydia Woodyatt Senior Lecturer, College of Education Psychology and Social Work at Flinders University.

“Part of our job is to remove the stigma. The more we talk about the ups and down we can all face, the smaller that stigma gets in having these conversations. If you know somebody that you think might not be doing so well at the moment, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask that simple question R U OK? because yes, it can save a life,” said Chris Savill.

“One of the amazing things about R U OK? is that it reminds us that the solution isn’t just in the big programs but it boils down to one-on-one conversations, we all have the ability to make a difference.” said Dr Woodyatt.

Importantly each event on the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ highlights local mental health support services, volunteer organisations and Suicide Prevention Networks ensuring those attending are aware of the existing services available in their community for the times an R U OK? conversation is too big for friends and family alone.

The ‘Trust the Signs Tour’ will complete its journey in Sydney on 12 September to coincide with R U OK?Day, a national day of action marked with events around the country.

Ambassadors, including Barry Du Bois, Travis Collins, Barry Conrad, Tom Derickx, Casey Donovan, Bianca Dye, Chris Green, Bruce ‘Hoppo’ Hopkins, Rachael Lynch, Miguel Maestre, Ben Ross and Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, have thrown their support behind the ‘Trust the Signs Tour’.

R U OK? is encouraging all Australians to learn the signs, download a practical toolkit and start regular meaningful conversations throughout their communities when its needed. More information on how to get involved can be found at: ruok.org.au.

For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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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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