{"id":44063,"date":"2024-09-11T01:17:54","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T01:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/?p=44063"},"modified":"2024-09-11T01:49:18","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T01:49:18","slug":"national-ruok-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/cospedia\/health-wellbeing\/national-ruok-day","title":{"rendered":"RUOK? Day: Creating a Culture of Support and Connection\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Every year, on the second Thursday of September, Australians are reminded to check in on their friends, family, and colleagues, asking the simple but powerful question, “Are you OK?”<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RUOK? Day, a national initiative in Australia, is a day dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and encouraging conversations about wellbeing. It’s a simple concept: asking someone “Are you okay?” can make a world of difference, but why is this so important, and why should we make it a daily practice?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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The Importance of RUOK? Day <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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RUOK? Day highlights a critical issue in Australia: the increasing need for mental health support. Mental health conditions affect people from all walks of life, and many struggle in silence. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around <\/span>8.5 million Australians had experienced a mental health disorder<\/span><\/a> in their lifetime. Despite the high prevalence, many people hesitate to seek help due to stigma, lack of awareness, or the misconception that they need to deal with their problems on their own.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Suicide remains a major concern in Australia. In 2022, <\/span>3,249 Australians lost their lives to suicide<\/span><\/a>, and it is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15\u201344. For every suicide, there are an estimated 30 attempts, reflecting the widespread mental health challenges facing individuals and communities. These numbers underscore the importance of initiatives like RUOK? Day, which aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, encourage conversations, and connect people to the support they need.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Why Asking \"How Can I Help?\" Is Better <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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While asking “Are you OK?” is a great way to start a conversation, some experts suggest that asking “How can I help?” can be even more effective. When someone is struggling, they may find it difficult talk about their feelings. They <\/span>might not be “OK” in that moment<\/span><\/a>, but asking for emotional insight can feel overwhelming for them. Asking “How can I help?” changes the tone of the conversation, showing that you\u2019re ready to offer practical support.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Here\u2019s why this approach can be more beneficial:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>