Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 20
Making Conversation Part of
Everyday Life
Four Steps to a Better
Conversation
R U OK? uses the ALEC model to
guide supportive conversations:
Ask R U OK?: Choose an
appropriate time and place,
explain what you have noticed
and ask an open question.
Listen: Give the person your
full attention. Avoid judgement,
interruption and pressure.
Encourage action: Help them
identify something that may
support them, including
professional help when
appropriate.
Check in: Reconnect after the
conversation and continue to
show that you care.
Meaningful conversations should
not be reserved for one campaign
day or only occur when someone
appears to be in crisis. R U OK?
encourages people to ask the
question on any day and to
make staying connected part of
everyday life.
This may mean giving someone
your full attention rather than
looking at your phone, asking
a second question instead of
accepting an automatic “昀椀ne”,
or noticing when a person’s
behaviour has changed.
Not every conversation will be
deep, and not every person will
be ready to talk. What matters
is creating relationships in which
honest conversation feels possible.
The words themselves do not need
to be polished. A calm question,
a patient listener and a genuine
follow up can help someone feel
seen, supported and connected.
Sometimes, that is where the next
step towards feeling better begins.
