R U OK?'s Conversation Convoy hits the road again to remind Australia that every day is R U OK?Day

R U OK? today launches its second consecutive six-week roadtrip around Australia that will finish in Sydney on R U OK?Day (September 13). The aim of the ‘Conversation Convoy’is to make every day R U OK?Day by encouraging more Australians to get comfortable asking the question, R U OK?, not just one day a year but every time we recognise the signs that someone we care about might be struggling.

2018 research results

As R U OK? enters its 10th year, the suicide prevention charity’s 2018 survey has revealed:

• More than half of Australians (57%) in the last 12 months, wanted someone to ask them if they were ok
• Encouragingly, Australians are reporting asking the question more frequently with 81% of Aussies saying they had asked someone if they were OK more than once in the past 12 months
• 51% of us were asked by someone if we were OK when we really needed it
• However, the results revealed there is still work to do with 52% of us having thought about asking someone if they were ok, at least once, but didn’t

R U OK? Campaign Director Katherine Newton said, “We shouldn’t wait to ask - we need to have these conversations every day of the year. By getting out on the road again this year, we’ll be encouraging everyone, no matter their location, to trust their gut instinct and ask the question as soon as they notice the signs someone might be doing it tough. R U OK? provides 4 Steps to navigating a conversation if someone says, “No, I’m not OK”: Ask , Listen, Encourage action and Check in.”

The Conversation Convoy
Today, the R U OK? team will for the second year in a row, travel 14 000 km across the country hosting 25 events. It will travel to regional and metro communities including Longreach, Darwin, Tennant Creek, Hervey Bay, Grafton, Griffith and Devonport.

R U OK? Ambassadors including Barry Du Bois, Casey Donovan, Commando Steve, Travis Collins, Tanya Hennessy, Celeste Barber, Jodhi Meares, DJ Tigerlily and Dan Conn have thrown their support behind the Convoy events, including R U OK?Day, which will be held in Sydney at Barangaroo’s Walumil Lawns on Thursday, September 13 from 7.30am.

The Signs
To further support their 2018 campaign the charity has crafted a television commercial called, ‘Signs’, featuring the narration of iconic Aussie actor, Jack Thompson. The commercial illustrates the subtle signs people might be missing in everyday life that indicate someone’s not ok.

Jack Thompson said, “I was very happy to narrate this production, it’s a powerful piece. I’ve been involved with R U OK? for many years and can’t stress enough the need for us to step up when our mates need it, even if asking the question might feel uncomfortable. I hope Signs acts as a reminder to look a little deeper, trust our instincts and start a conversation any day it’s needed.”

For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For more info, visit ruok.org.au.