Research highlights the importance and relevance of R U OK?

University of Melbourne researchers have found the R U OK?Day campaign continues to be relevant and effective in spreading key messages about the importance of reaching out to others and empowering members of the community to have conversations about life problems. The campaign’s impact is increasing over time through increased campaign awareness and participation, and improving helping beliefs, intentions and behaviours.

Anna M. Ross and Bridget Bassilios from the Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Global and Population Health used data from 2013 participants collected by R U OK? in 2017 to independently update the evaluation of the R U OK?Day campaign and to determine its impact on helping attitudes and behaviours.

They found that from 2014 to 2017 campaign awareness rose from 66% to 78% and participation increased from 19% to 32%.

Exposure to the R U OK?Day campaign was associated with stronger beliefs in the importance and the ease of asking “Are you okay?”, and increased the likelihood of intentions to use recommended helping actions by two to three times compared to those not exposed to the campaign.

Participants who were exposed to the R U OK?Day campaign were up to six times more likely to reach out to someone who might be experiencing personal difficulties compared to those not exposed to the campaign. Interestingly, those who had sought help from a mental health professional in the past 12 months were more likely to be aware of, and participate in, the campaign, suggesting people experiencing mental health issues recognise the value of seeking—and giving—social support.