Thursday 12 September 2024 is R U OK? Day
FBA is proud to have a relationship with R U OK? to help support our members and the family business community to connect and support each other.
In our personal lives, within our family and in our business, it is important to stay connected and make asking ‘are you okay?’ a part of everyday life. If someone we know is struggling with something big or small, they’ll know we care and are there to support them.
About R U OK?
R U OK? is a public health promotion charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.
R U OK? was founded in 2009 by Gavin Larkin who tragically lost his father to suicide in 1995. To honour his father and try to protect other families from the pain his had endured, Gavin chose to champion just one question – ‘are you OK?’. He passionately advocated the message that a conversation could change a life, even as cancer ended his in 2011.
Gavin’s legacy is a national conversation movement that focuses on building the motivation, confidence, and skills of all Australians to have a meaningful conversation with family, friends and colleagues who might be struggling with life and connect them to appropriate support long before they’re in crisis.
R U OK? delivers free resources that increase the willingness and confidence of all Australians to recognise the signs someone is struggling, start a genuine conversation and lend appropriate support.
Why focus on conversations?
Suicide is an enormously complex and sensitive challenge. A renowned suicide prevention theory is that of Dr Thomas Joiner, who identified that social connections including regular, face-to-face, meaningful conversations about life, are a protective factor against suicide.
How to get involved in R U OK? Day
There are many ways you can support R U OK? including:
- Connect with family and colleagues who might be struggling to start a meaningful conversation by asking, ‘are you OK?’
- Display resources and materials around your workspace
- Host an event or activity in your family business to share the R U OK? message
- Become an R U OK? Workplace Champion
- Download the R U OK? everyday resources to display in your family business.
- Share R U OK? conversation tips and awareness material on your social media
- Fundraise for R U OK? or donate proceeds from your business
Download R U OK? resources for your business
Find Help
If a life is in danger or you’re concerned for your own or someone else’s safety please call 000. Family and friends can also call the services below for advice and assistance on how to support someone who is struggling with life.
Lifeline (24/7)
13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au | Text support: 0477 13 11 14
Call 24/7 for crisis support and suicide prevention services. Text support is also available.
| Beyond Blue (24/7) 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au Call 24/7 for advice, referral and support from a trained mental health professional. |
Suicide Call Back Service (24/7) 1300 659 467 | suicidecallbackservice.org.au 24/7 free counselling and support for people at risk of suicide, carers and those who are grieving. |
| Mensline 1300 78 99 78 | mensline.org.au Call 24/7 for telephone and online support for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. |
Kids Helpline (24/7) 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au 24/7 free and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5-25. |
| 13 YARN 13 92 76 | 13yarn.org.au 24/7 national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. |
Qlife 1800 184 527 | qlife.org.au Phone and online anonymous LGBTI support and referral. 3pm - midnight local time every day. |
View contacts for national helplines and services at ruok.org.au/findhelp.
