Top 3 ways to Support R U OK? in 2019

hello • 26 February 2019

We all go through life’s ups and downs – we can have a relationship breakdown, lose a job, face financial difficult or simply find life overwhelming, and when these things happen, it’s the people around us that can be the ones to help us navigate those challenges.

That’s why for the last ten years national suicide prevention charity R U OK? has been helping Australians recognise the signs that someone in their world might be doing it tough and giving them the skills to start a conversation that might change or save a life.

By giving people the skills and confidence to see the signs a loved one is struggling and reach out to them, we hope to strengthen the scaffolding around those who are going through tough times and help them access appropriate support long before they’re in crisis.

It’s a big mission and one we can’t achieve without your support. Here are three simple ways you can help us get there in 2019:


  1. Learn how to ask R U OK? and encourage others to do the same

It can be confronting to start a conversation with a loved one we’re worried about and part of this apprehension revolves around what to do if someone answers “No”. To help people overcome this fear and respond safely and sensitively, R U OK? has developed a four-step framework to guide people through a conversation.

1. Ask R U OK?

2. Listen

3. Encourage action

4. Check in


R U OK? is an open source campaign which means our conversation tips, guides and resources – including more information on these four steps - are free and can be downloaded from our website www.ruok.org.au The resources are designed to build your confidence in using these four steps and help you encourage the people in your school, workplace, sports club and community to do the same. Make this the year you download, read and share them.

2. Host an event

The aim of organising an R U OK? event is to bring people together to see the power of conversation, learn R U OK?’s four conversation steps, connect and get to know one another a little better. Some of the best conversations are ones which take place between people who trust and know one another.


Whether it's a morning tea, a sausage sizzle or a team picnic, by organising an event you can convince more people that they can make a real difference by having regular, meaningful conversations with those around them.


If you register your event we’ll send you resources, like posters, to help you make it a success. Learn more at www.ruok.org.au/events

3. Join a fundraiser


Whether it’s running the marathon you’ve always wanted to, hosting a morning tea, movie night, sausage sizzle or bake off, joining a trek or challenge, or creating your own activity - fundraising for R U OK? is a great way to make a difference and help R U OK? reach more Australians, inspire regular, meaningful conversations every day of the year, and ultimately change lives.


We’ve got fundraising ideas , inspiration and resources to make your fundraising a success here.

If you want to have an adventure while fundraising, we’ve got an amazing challenge you can join this year:


Trek Larapinta

Join R U OK? to trek the Larapinta trail in 2019!

On this incredible adventure, you will trek through the heart of Australia’s Red Centre, exploring breathtaking valleys, rivers and dramatic desert landscapes. By day, you will visit sites sacred to the Arrernte people. By night, you will fall asleep to the soothing sounds of nature under a blanket of stars.

Best of all, you will raise vital funds to help R U OK? strengthen our campaign resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who may be struggling with life.

5 – 11 August 2019.

Learn more .


Whether you choose one or take all three actions, by getting involved you can help us create a world where any time someone needs to be asked R U OK? a loved one is there ready to start that conversation.


If you or a loved one need immediate support, Lifeline are available 24/7 on 13 11 14 and other services and tools can be found at www.ruok.org.au/findhelp

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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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