Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Sept25 - Flipbook - Page 18
CONVERGE
Ask R U OK? Any Day
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.
