R U OK?
Since 2020, Metro North has been a proud supporter of the R U OK? Program, a suicide prevention initiative that promotes early intervention and team connectedness. The program encourages individuals to invest time in personal relationships, stay alert to the wellbeing of those around them, initiate conversations, and offer support long before a crisis develops.
Given that we spend a third of our lives at work, colleagues naturally become one of the most important sources of encouragement and support for good mental health. R U OK? teaches us to trust our instincts when we are concerned about our colleagues and to ask, “R U OK?”.
For an R U OK? conversation to be meaningful, it must be authentic and involve a level of trust between individuals who are familiar with each other’s routines and behaviours. Cultivating an R U OK? culture in the workplace can help establish that trust and foster a sense of belonging and connection among employees.
Training
R U OK? training is available for teams all year round.
If you’re interested in organising R U OK? training for your team, please reach out to the Culture and Wellbeing Coordinator team at MNPeerResponder@health.qld.gov.au to discuss available options.
Other resources
At Metro North, we encourage everyone to understand the signs and ask “R U OK?” every day – not just in September.
Visit the R U OK? website for information, tools and resources you can access any day, at any time:
- Explore Every Day Resources to help you start meaningful conversations and promote R U OK? in your workplace.
- Learn how to Trust the Signs, Trust your Gut and Ask R U OK? by visiting Signs to look out for.
There are many simple ways to promote R U OK? within your team throughout the year. You might organise a team morning tea or lunch, connect with your local Staff Council to organise events, wear yellow, share R U OK? resources, or simply take the time to check in with a colleague and ask, “R U OK?”
Video
Watch this video to learn more about the origins and intent of the program from the 2023 R U OK? Ambassador, Jo Hassan.
