You're already qualified to ask R U OK?

hello • 27 July 2022

New R U OK? research has found that four in ten Australians feel asking someone ‘are you OK?’ is a conversation better had with an expert. Dr. Grant Blashki, a practising GP and Lead Clinical Advisor for Beyond Blue, says that's not the case and that we all can play a role in supporting those we care about.

 R U OK?Day is Thursday September 8 and the message this year is: Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed.

 

It comes following new R U OK? research1 that found that four in ten Australians feel asking someone ‘are you OK?’ is a conversation better had with an expert.

 [1] fiftyfive5 R U OK?Day Research 2022

We want everyone to know that you already have what it takes to support family, friends and colleagues and that you don’t need to be an expert to have an R U OK? conversation.

 

Listening and giving someone your time might be just what they need to help them through a difficult period.

 

Dr. Grant Blashki has been a practising GP for 25 years and is the Lead Clinical Advisor for Beyond Blue. We spoke to Dr Blashki about checking in with those we care about and why you don’t need to be an expert to ask R U OK?

 

“People don’t ask R U OK? because they’re worried about the answer and they won’t know how to respond if someone tells them they aren’t OK," he said. You don’t have to be a mental health expert, you’re just opening up the conversation and being there to listen."

 

“If someone does open up, it’s OK to say to them, ‘thanks for talking about that with me, I'm not really sure what we should do, but let's look at it together', and, ‘you know 'I'm here to help'.

 

“Remember, you don't have to be a psychologist, you don't have to solve someone’s problem, you don't have to jump in with your own anecdotes. Just sit back and listen.

 

“The evidence shows that asking people about a mental health issue, or even if they've been thinking about harming themselves, it doesn't put the idea in their mind and it doesn't make them feel worse. Most people are really quite relieved to talk to someone.”


To get involved in R U OK?Day 2022 and access resources, tips and ideas to help you drive genuine change in your workplace, school and community visit click here.

If someone’s not ready to open up yet, that’s OK. Dr Blashki says you’ve already taken the first steps of supporting them by checking in and asking R U OK?

 

“You don't have to push them. You've opened the door and they might come back to you if they want to. They know that you care, they know that you're interested, and so that in itself is really valuable,” he said.

 

The work of health professionals is vital, and their value cannot be underestimated. But what we can all do is be connectors to professional support when it’s needed.

 

“If someone needs help, you could either direct them initially to Beyond Blue or Lifeline, if it's a more urgent situation,” he said.,

 

“People can also go to any GP and get a mental health plan. We can be that link, the person that says, 'hey, how about I book in the GP for you?', 'how about we give Beyond Blue a call?', and get things started'.”

 

Everyone experiences life’s ups and downs and in recent times there has been a lot to cope with. Natural disasters, the pandemic, world conflicts and cost of living increases have added additional pressure and emotional strain for many.

 

With so much going on, your support and care can make a real difference to someone struggling. That’s something we are all already qualified to do.

 

“In any one year in Australia, about two million people experience an anxiety disorder and about one million experience depression, “Dr Blashki said.

 

"Apart from that, there's a whole lot of people who are stressed. They don’t have a mental health condition but they're really sad about something going on in their life or really worried about something.

 

"If you think about your family, friends and work colleagues, you will know people who are very stressed or experience a mental health condition. Everyone should feel qualified, everyone should feel like 'this is something I can ask'.

 

"Your basic humanity is all you need."


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. 

Caring for yourself and others following traumatic events

14 December 2025
The recent incident in Sydney has left many feeling distressed and overwhelmed, and you may notice the children in your life are struggling too. Below, you’ll find advice from mental health experts on caring for your own wellbeing, and providing meaningful support to others in the days and weeks ahead. Talking to children about traumatic events Children are likely to have seen and heard distressing information about this incident. Ongoing news coverage, images and discussion can intensify feelings of anxiety, sadness and anger. The Child Mind Institute has published a practical guide to help parents and carers talk with children about traumatic events. The guide offers practical age-specific advice and has been developed by experts in child psychology, you can access this guide here . Events involving violence or serious harm can be especially difficult for children to understand or discuss. The guide focuses on helping children feel safe, supported and reassured, and encourages parents, carers or guardians to: Provide comfort and reassurance, including physical affection Remain calm and measured when discussing the event Maintain regular routines to restore a sense of normality Encourage play, connection and time with others Share honest, age-appropriate information from trusted sources Limit children’s exposure to news, especially younger children Listen patiently and validate children’s feelings Recognise that fear, anger, sadness or guilt are all normal reactions Looking after yourself, and supporting others Rachel Clements, R U OK? Advisor, and Director of Psychological Services at Centre for Corporate Health, said strong emotional reactions are normal and healthy for people of all ages following public acts of violence, even among those not directly impacted. “Some reactions that are incredibly normal are concern, shock, horror, disbelief. When that wears off sometimes, people experience stronger feelings, sometimes anger, despair, sadness, anxiety or fear-based behaviour."  Ms Clements advised that connecting with friends, sporting clubs, or workplace networks, and simply asking ‘are you OK?’, can play a key role in supporting people experiencing distress. "This event will disrupt the nervous system. One of the most important things we can do is stay connected, talk to each other and lean into supportive conversations,” Ms Clements said. She suggested starting a genuine conversation by asking questions such as: 'it's been tough watching this information coming to light, how are you feeling about it?’ “Then, all you’ve got to do is listen with empathy, without judgment or interruption, and just allow someone to talk about their experience and how they are feeling. When it is the right time in the conversation, you can then gently guide someone towards supportive actions, like doing some gentle exercise, staying connected with friends and family, or maintaining regular routines.” Ms Clements emphasised the importance of checking in again to ensure people have continued support. If you notice someone’s distress is ongoing for several weeks and begins to affect their work or social life, professional help should be encouraged. If you or the children in your care are experiencing ongoing distress, consider speaking with a doctor or another trusted healthcare provider. Free and professional 24/7counselling services are available, find contact details here . If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. Ask R U OK? Any Day.

2025 with R U OK?

11 December 2025
This year, Australians continued to grow their confidence and capability to ask, 'are you OK?' any day of the year - reminding us how real connection and meaningful conversations can happen in the most ordinary, everyday moments. Across every age and stage of life, people helped normalise these important check-ins by looking out for one another, reducing stigma, and driving genuine change. Thanks to our supporters, awareness continues to expand in schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, and communities in every corner of Australia. Thank you to everyone who started conversations, and to everyone who supported the mission and work of R U OK?. Below is a short video which shares a glimpse of the activity made possible through collaboration. *Voice-over by former-CEO, Katherine Newton.

Connecting generations through conversation and storytelling

10 December 2025
From growing up on farms to a shared interest in history, Australians, young and old, are discovering just how much they have in common, and how storytelling can connect generations in unexpected ways. What’s bringing them together is 'Heart and Soul Story', a social enterprise that fosters intergenerational connections. Through its programs, young people and older generations come together in aged care homes and schools to share stories, build life skills, and prevent loneliness. At a recent session which encouraged everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day, students visited an aged-care community with R U OK? Conversation Bingo cards, which feature prompts to spark humour, curiosity, and connection.
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