Continue the conversation: R U OK?
R U OK? day raises awareness of the conversation that needs to be had with our people around us. Particularly our young people.
Our job now is to ask the question all year round, and keep the conversation going past 'R U OK?'.
Asking R U OK?
But what happens next?
Listen...
Listen to the person talking to you
Don't judge what they have to say, and encourage them to talk more about how they're feeling
Silence is ok, they might be thinking, or need a break. Sit with them.
Ask...
What have they done before when they felt like this?
Do they want help? Or just to vent?
Point them in the direction of help if they need it:
In an emergency always call 000
Or if you can take them to the nearest hospital emergency department
Qlife: Provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. - https://qlife.org.au/
Check in...
You could say - 'I was thinking about the other day, how have you been?'
Keep talking, remind the person you're there
Keep in touch!
Make mental health talk part of normal conversation
Helpful R U OK? manuals