Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 13
Mental illness is indiscriminate and can
affect anyone. Statistically, 1 in 5
Australians aged 16 to 85 experienced
a mental disorder between 2023 and
2024, equating to over 4.3 million
people. For younger generations, 1 in 7
children aged between 4 and 17 have
also reported experiencing poor
mental wellbeing.
That’s why each year, we celebrate R U
OK? Day. It’s a time to proactively check
in on loved ones because a simple
conversation could save a life. This
year’s theme is Ask R U OK? Any Day,
signifying the need to ask: are you
okay? every single day.
What Is R U OK? Day & How Did It Start?
R U OK? Day was first incepted in 2009 when founder Gavin Larkin, an
Australian advertising executive, created the initiative based on his personal
experiences. Sadly, his father, Barry Larkin, tragically took his own life in 1995.
Filled with grief and regret, Gavin wished he asked his father if he was okay.
This ignited an idea. Using his grief as motivation to prevent others from feeling
the same pain, Gavin embarked on a mission to create a platform that
encouraged meaningful conversations about mental health. He believed that
starting conversations and actively listening could make a life-altering difference
and save someone's life. That is when R U OK? Day began and has been a staple
national day of action ever since.
What Is The R U OK? Day Theme For 2026?
This year’s theme is Ask R U OK? Any Day, symbolising the need to check in on
others every day. Mental health may affect us all at different points in our lives.
So, we might be okay today, but tomorrow may be different. Equally, we may
encounter a traumatic event or changes in circumstances, such as a job loss, that
may spark feelings of anxiety and depression. Therefore, we must frequently
check in on loved ones because
