Resource R U OK? DAY 2024

[damicky]

​

Hi Sweet FA

Just a reminder that today is R U OK? Day:

ASK R U OK? ANY DAY​

Ask R U OK? Any Day because life happens every day. 

A lot can happen in a year, a month, a week. Whether it’s your friend, family member, colleague, partner, or teammate, the people you care about go through life’s ups and downs every day.

By having regular, meaningful conversations, you build trust and normalise talking about what’s really going on, so when the people in your world find themselves struggling, they know you’re someone they can talk to.

So whilst R U OK? Day is today, we encourage you to Ask R U OK? Any Day of the year because a conversation could change a life.

 

[Bovo]

Although this is an important thing, does anyone else feel it loses its impact by making it a certain day? We need a culture shift where people are comfortable asking anytime and people are comfortable saying no at anytime. I don’t want people to think I’m just doing it because it’s today. An authentic culture shift is well overdue. But it’s a great reminder nonetheless.

But today I am Okay.

 

[damicky]

Although this is an important thing, does anyone else feel it loses its impact by making it a certain day? We need a culture shift where people are comfortable asking anytime and people are comfortable saying no at anytime. I don’t want people to think I’m just doing it because it’s today. An authentic culture shift is well overdue. But it’s a great reminder nonetheless.

But today I am Okay.

I read that as “But today I am Okey.”

 

[Scythe94]

Although this is an important thing, does anyone else feel it loses its impact by making it a certain day? We need a culture shift where people are comfortable asking anytime and people are comfortable saying no at anytime. I don’t want people to think I’m just doing it because it’s today. An authentic culture shift is well overdue. But it’s a great reminder nonetheless.

But today I am Okay.

The corporatisation of the day has certainly diminished its meaning. Workers don't want cupcakes and LinkedIn posts that big-note their organisation for their social responsibility; they want a workplace that shows them genuine care, compassion and flexibility year-round, with adequate mental health resourcing.

The two don't have to be mutually exclusive of course, but often they are.

Hope everyone in the SFA is doing well, regardless. My PMs are always open for a yap about mental health x

 

[cats2rise]

Workers don't want cupcakes and LinkedIn posts that big-note their organisation for their social responsibility; they want a workplace that shows them genuine care, compassion and flexibility year-round, with adequate mental health resourcing.

 

[The Majestic]

It is good to check in on your friends, I wish my friend who recently took their life had reached out more and I guess I wish I knew he was in pain we'd talk a lot about stuff and he always seemed happy. I'll admit too I am often not one to talk about that stuff, person I am dating had asked me as well to open up more about that stuff and things that are on my mind. So I am trying.

But currently I am okay, not the best but I am okay enough.

 

[Bovo]

It is good to check in on your friends, I wish my friend who recently took their life had reached out more and I guess I wish I knew he was in pain we'd talk a lot about stuff and he always seemed happy. I'll admit too I am often not one to talk about that stuff, person I am dating had asked me as well to open up more about that stuff and things that are on my mind. So I am trying.

But currently I am okay, not the best but I am okay enough.

Okay enough? Sounds like you might be doing it tough. The good days don’t discount the bad days. About 2 or 3 years ago I was convinced that my ending was going to be at the hands of my own decisions. I wasn’t having bad days every single day, but when I had a bad day, it was horrific. I don’t have days like that anymore at all, but I still remember the despair. Mental health is real, and living in a cruel world can be tough. No one should have to battle these demons alone.

 

[The Majestic]

Okay enough? Sounds like you might be doing it tough. The good days don’t discount the bad days. About 2 or 3 years ago I was convinced that my ending was going to be at the hands of my own decisions. I wasn’t having bad days every single day, but when I had a bad day, it was horrific. I don’t have days like that anymore at all, but I still remember the despair. Mental health is real, and living in a cruel world can be tough. No one should have to battle these demons alone.

I am glad you don't have those days anymore.

I have had a few personal struggles this year, I am struggling currently with a diagnosis and how to fully talk about that to some loved ones. While also trying to get a surgery I require that I have to pay for myself, but I mean it all could be worse but it could be better too. I am just trying very hard to be more positive and try and get things going better.

Trauma therapy recently has left me feeling a bit blue, but slowly bouncing back.

 

[Bovo]

I am glad you don't have those days anymore.

I have had a few personal struggles this year, I am struggling currently with a diagnosis and how to fully talk about that to some loved ones. While also trying to get a surgery I require that I have to pay for myself, but I mean it all could be worse but it could be better too. I am just trying very hard to be more positive and try and get things going better.

Trauma therapy recently has left me feeling a bit blue, but slowly bouncing back.

My medical issues were probably the catalyst of my dark days too. I lost my career, I lost my ability to drive. My older kids all moved away. I was pretty close to losing my wife. Life robbed me of so much in the blink of an eye. I then had to endure brain surgery and live with my leg reconstructed on my head. I remember lying on the floor of my room trying to imagine the painless ways to escape it all. I found philosophy and that helped me understand that mankind has been dealing with mental issues for thousands of years, and there are a lot of hidden gems in many “ancient” writings. Ask me now, and I’ll say I’ve probably never been happier.

 

[Kilroy]

RU_ ok?

 

[RU_]

RU_ ok?

Funny you should ask! I actually booked a psychologist appointment today as I feel like my life has crumbled around me over the last few weeks.

Funny how the world works, never would have thought I’d want to speak to someone in that space, but here we are!

But yes, I’m okay and just adapting to my new normal!

 

[Kilroy]

Funny you should ask! I actually booked a psychologist appointment today as I feel like my life has crumbled around me over the last few weeks.

Funny how the world works, never would have thought I’d want to speak to someone in that space, but here we are!

But yes, I’m okay and just adapting to my new normal!

You’re certainly not alone mate.

All the best

 

[jannissary]

The corporatisation of the day has certainly diminished its meaning. Workers don't want cupcakes and LinkedIn posts that big-note their organisation for their social responsibility; they want a workplace that shows them genuine care, compassion and flexibility year-round, with adequate mental health resourcing.

The two don't have to be mutually exclusive of course, but often they are.

Hope everyone in the SFA is doing well, regardless. My PMs are always open for a yap about mental health x

absolutely bang on the money, unfortunately.

mental health is something that is still seriously downplayed throughout australia and will continue to be until there's a culture shift. i personally struggled with some mental health issues when i was in high school and received some demonisation from peers and teachers due to it. the existing remnants of these unfortunately still pop up from time to time, but seeing sinceraity on days like ruok day is great.

i just ****ing hate the corporate shit

 

[Senor M]

The performative nature of this thread is representative of the corporatisation of the concept. “R U OK Day” isn’t effective in a work place as it doesn’t solve any problems, just offers up kit-Kats and yellow cupcakes.

 

[Bovo]

The performative nature of this thread is representative of the corporatisation of the concept. “R U OK Day” isn’t effective in a work place as it doesn’t solve any problems, just offers up kit-Kats and yellow cupcakes.

In the same way a thread being made about R U OK day by someone who has repeatedly used mental health conditions as insults in their online banter is the definition of hypocrisy.

you can turn this thread into what you believe. I personally used this thread to authentically relay some of my personal experiences in this space. I think we can all agree that life can be tough. We are forced to deal with the expected and unexpected all the time. Emotionally sometimes we get it right and others completely wrong. This is not about the OP, this is about helping each other navigate life’s ups and downs.

 

[Tonga Bob]

First up, respect to those who have shared their stories, that takes a lot of courage.

I agree with the sentiment that these conversations & check ins should be a year long thing and not just a yearly commercialised/corporatised event, but there's nothing wrong with reaching out on RUOK day or World Mental Health day or any other designated day. I have a reminder in my phone every two weeks to send a random friend a message. I don't always do it but more often than not I do. Doesn't matter if they seem down or if they're the most outgoing person I know (as the below video highlights). Might be a meme or something a bit wacky, but it's an icebreaker to start a chat. And the added benefit is that sometimes the chat helps me to open up too.

 

[Senor M]

you can turn this thread into what you believe. I personally used this thread to authentically relay some of my personal experiences in this space. I think we can all agree that life can be tough. We are forced to deal with the expected and unexpected all the time. Emotionally sometimes we get it right and others completely wrong. This is not about the OP, this is about helping each other navigate life’s ups and downs.

It’s all well & good to use this thread to advocate for mental health awareness—- but when posts are made suggesting that people are in psych wards or using phrases like bipolar as an insult; these posts should be deleted and the posters issued with bans rather than being accepted as normal “banter” within the structure of this league.

It’s performative & hypocritical. We can’t advocate for mental health awareness one day and then mock mental health the rest of the year.

 

[dogs105]

The corporatisation of the day has certainly diminished its meaning. Workers don't want cupcakes and LinkedIn posts that big-note their organisation for their social responsibility; they want a workplace that shows them genuine care, compassion and flexibility year-round, with adequate mental health resourcing.

The two don't have to be mutually exclusive of course, but often they are.

Hope everyone in the SFA is doing well, regardless. My PMs are always open for a yap about mental health x

PoTY