Reach out and ask: ‘Are you OK?’ or ‘Are you all right?’
R U OK? Day in Australia and All Right? Day in New Zealand are great reminders to check in on your mental health and wellbeing.
Ben Foo, GM Health and Safety at Opal, says, “With safety being at the centre of everything we do at Opal, we need to look after our mental health and wellbeing, particularly in times like now when there are external factors impacting us and our workmates.
“I encourage everyone to use this day as an opportunity to reach out and ask, ‘Are you OK?’ or ‘Are you all right?’
“Starting a conversation is a simple decision that can make a positive difference to someone’s situation.”
Use these four steps and have a conversation that could change a life:
1. Ask R U OK? / Are you all right?
2. Listen
3. Encourage action
4. Check in
“Remember it’s also all right to take time to look after yourself, take a breather and take some time out for you,” says Ben.