OUR STORY

ONE MAN'S PASSION

GAVIN LARKIN OAM

In 1995, much-loved Barry Larkin was far from OK. His suicide left family and friends in deep grief and with endless questions.


In 2009, his son Gavin Larkin chose to champion just one question to honour his father and to try and protect other families from the pain his endured: 'Are you OK?'.


While collaborating with Janina Nearn on a documentary to raise awareness, the team quickly realised the documentary alone wouldn’t be enough.


To genuinely change behaviour Australia-wide, a national campaign was needed. And from this realisation, and with Gavin and Janina’s expertise and passion, R U OK? was born.


Gavin remained a passionate champion of the fact a conversation could change a life, even as cancer ended his in 2011. His legacy is a national Conversation Movement that is equipping Australians with the skills and confidence to support those struggling with life.


R U OK? was born from lived experience. The valuable insights, storytelling, and expertise of those with lived experience continues to be weaved throughout everything we do. Across our team, Board, Advisory Groups and Ambassadors, we remain respectful and proud of those who share their journeys to help continually improve our work.

AUSTRALIAN STORY

The extraordinary story behind R U OK? was brought to life by Australian Story in 2011.


In 2017, six years after they first aired the story of Gavin Larkin, they returned to his family to see how Gavin's extraordinary legacy has helped sustain them through their grief.

R U OK? - A 10 YEAR PERSPECTIVE

"Without R U OK? the landscape would look very different. There is great value in demonstrating to the whole community that they can contribute to suicide prevention and then, importantly, showing them how. Suicide prevention requires the efforts of us all, not just professionals and experts. Through R U OK? an idea ‘to do something’ has become a cultural movement engaging all walks of life.


Suicide knows no boundaries. It is up to all of us to look out for those we care about and start a conversation that could change a life."


In 2020 R U OK? asked one of Australia's mental health sector leaders, Alan Woodward, to consider the first ten years of our organisation. Your can download his 10 Year Perspective review  via the link below.


Download 10 Year Perspective
Share by: