All the COVID-safe ways you can support R U OK?Day

hello • 13 August 2021

R U OK?Day is Thursday 9 September. This year our message is: Are they really OK? Ask them today.

 

Do you know how the people in your world are really going? Life's ups and downs happen to all of us. So chances are someone you know might be struggling and your genuine support can make a difference, whatever they are facing, big or small.


There are so many different ways you can help encourage more life-changing conversations and share the message with your community while physically distancing. 


COVID-SAFE WAYS TO SUPPORT R U OK?DAY


Host a digital event

Make use of technology that can bring people together online. People can bring their own treats and conversation starters to the virtual gathering. Register your event and we’ll send you a pack with posters, invitations and conversation tips to help make it a success. We also have virtual backgrounds you can download here.


Walk and talk

Where exercise is permitted, use the opportunity to go for a walk with someone, have a chat and ask "are you OK?"

The rules vary depending on location, so check the guidance from the health department in your state or territory before heading out for a workout while restrictions are in place.


Create an online 'Conversation Corner'

Create a team or group communication channel where you can regularly check in and ask one another, “are you OK?”. Share conversation tips and help-seeking information so people can confidently navigate a conversation where someone says they’re not OK.


Share information via email, social media and other online channels

Show the people in your world the power of connecting with others and that they’ve got what it takes to support those struggling with life. 

By publishing a blog, vlog or social media post that shows the shows the power of connection and conversations, you’ll be able to make staying connected and asking “are you OK?” a part of their everyday. Templates and suggested posts can be found in the Guide to Supporting R U OK?Day.


R U OK? has developed FREE resources to help you encourage everyone in your school, workplace and community to think about who in their world might need to be asked how they’re really going and how to make a moment meaningful by asking “are you OK?” Sign up here to view the resources.


Host a webinar or online discussion

Explore how people can stay connected, who might need asking R U OK? and how to find a meaningful moment to have a conversation with someone.


Conversation starter packs

Create your own ‘Conversation Starter Packs’ to send to attendees who will be beaming into your virtual event. Items such as an R U OK? mug, conversation cards and tea bags not only help people learn how to navigate a conversation but also helps sustain our work. Visit our online store here.


Conversation Quiz

A quiz is a great way to build people’s skills and confidence in having R U OK? conversations. Download our R U OK?Day quiz here and host yours online.


Connect to Chat

Connect to Chat is a  virtual meeting, where people can come together and get to know one another a little bit better. This activity is great for larger groups or teams where you want to build stronger relationships between people who may not regularly see each other, but it can also be a great way to encourage smaller groups to connect. You can find a Connect to Chat activity sheet here.


Promise Wall

Start a thread on your internal communications platform where everyone can post their promise to stay connected and make asking, “are you OK?” part of their everyday. Encourage them to write down how they plan to put this into action. Download the Promise Card here.



While getting creative and organising your activities, it’s important to refer to official government information and guidelines to ensure you have COVID safe procedures in place.


R U OK? has released FREE resources to help you feel more confident asking friends and loved ones how they're really going. You can download the resources, including a guide to supporting R U OK?Day, a conversation guide, posters, social media tiles and more here.


If you or someone you know needs some extra support, visit our directory of national support and services here. For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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.
Michelle Heyman on the field.

Michelle Heyman on speaking out and starting over

8 October 2025
Matildas forward Michelle Heyman talks about how one of the most challenging transitions of her life became the most transformative, thanks to the support of her fiancée Christine.
Five R U OK? Community Ambassadors pose in park wearing black and yellow R U OK? t shirts

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