Why Isentia is proud to support R U OK?    

hello • 12 September 2018













Sean Smith, Chief Commercial Officer at Isentia on how they help R U OK? amplify, refine and report on their impact:

Isentia is proud to support and work with suicide prevention charity R U OK? – the brand is strong and the message reaches all corners of the country, teaching us skills and encouraging us to reach out to anyone who may be struggling and start what could be a life-changing conversation.


Chances are we all know someone – a friend or workmate – who’s been impacted by loss, grief, loneliness, mental health problems or relationships breakdowns.


So, we’re proud to do whatever we can to ensure R U OK? communicates effectively and better understands the media landscape, to help drive their impact and messaging.


How do you help R U OK? measure their impact and understand the effectiveness, reach and engagement with the campaign?


Isentia partners with R U OK? by providing a comprehensive media intelligence service. This includes tracking all the media content and data (traditional and social) to help give R U OK? the complete picture of both their cause, and mental health as a broader topic.


We use our insights team to analyse the coverage and help make sense of it all and essentially identify opportunities for the R U OK? team to be even more effective. For example, we will analyse messaging and the impact of their ambassadors, spokespeople and sponsorship partners.


Why do you think this is important?


Media is a key driver in educating and increasing awareness around suicide prevention. To be effective in media and digital strategies, R U OK? need to understand the impact of their articles and press releases, and how the media respond to them, to get the best result.


Coverage reporting allows the team at R U OK? to not only stay informed but also make changes to their messaging or understand new topic areas that are being discussed in the media – specifically around mental health and suicide prevention. In short, we help R U OK? ensure they can use media channels in the most effective way to encourage people to get involved and support someone that maybe be struggling with the challenges of the life.


This year, R U OK? is sending the message that every day is R U OK? Day and the day to start a conversation that could change a life. How is Isentia helping us monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of this message?

Like any client we work with, we want to ensure that we measure and track what is important to R U OK?. We do this by working closely with their team to understand what the 2018 campaign’s key objectives are, and then working to frame their service to best support this.


Our first step is to monitor all mentions of R U OK? – Isentia’s monitoring schedule is second to none with thousands of online sources, all social media networks, over 1,500 print media and more than 300 TV/Radio channels. Once we collect that data, we then look at how the media is presenting R U OK? to see if it’s reflecting the messaging the way that it’s intended.


Our analysis helps R U OK? understand message penetration year on year. If needed, the reporting on this can be granular – delving right down to the media outlet, journalist, a specific region or demographic, and how key ambassadors or spokespeople are performing. All insights reports include charting and data visualisations that are easy-to-use and tell a clear story. R U OK? then use this to inform strategy and provide benchmarking reports.


As a long-term R U OK? supporter, how does Isentia integrate the message in to their workplace?


Like many workplaces, Isentia recognises that mental health and life’s struggles are real issues that can't be ignored. As an employer of over 400 Australians (amongst a larger workforce across Asia Pacific) we have a responsibility to make sure Isentia employees are supported any time they need it.


We care about the health and wellbeing of our team members and offer many benefits and resources to help our people and their families lead healthy lives, physically and mentally. We encourage leaders and team members to reach out if they think that someone if they see changes in someone’s behaviour or if they seem out of sorts, and to then take steps to support that person – be it through our confidential and free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), flexible working arrangements, taking time off, or a review of their workload. We also profile health and wellbeing articles on our intranet and in our company newsletter to keep the message alive throughout the year.


How will Isentia be celebrating R U OK? Day this year?


On campaign day, R U OK? Ambassador Craig Mack is visiting Isentia’s Sydney office to speak to staff about the importance of four step conversations and managing work-life balance. We will be live-streaming this session across all of our Australia and New Zealand offices to ensure everyone is connected and able to participate in the conversation – followed by locally hosted morning teas.


Team members will also raise awareness by contributing and sharing content across our internal channels such as the intranet, and through our externally-facing social networks – reinforcing the message that every day is R U OK? Day.


Want to learn more about Isentia? Simply visit isentia.com






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.

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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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