R U OK? message more important than ever

Hockeyroos goalkeeper and R U OK? Day ambassador Rachael Lynch is encouraging people to take care of their mental health and reach out to others who might be struggling.

R U OK? have been helping people learn how to reach out and connect with friends, family, colleagues, and neighbours since 2009, and the second Thursday of each September is R U OK? Day.

2020 has been a very difficult year for many, and Lynch says the R U OK? message carries greater importance than ever in these uncertain times.

“With all the things going on in the world - COVID and the challenges people are facing, it’s definitely really important that mental health is being discussed and addressed,” said Lynch.

“More than ever, people need to be supporting each other because we’re all going through COVID together. More than ever, no one is immune to the mental health challenges that are happening in the world.”

This year, R U OK? is encouraging all Australians to learn what to say if someone in their life says they're not OK.

Lynch and the Hockeyroos squad are using their day off from training this R U OK? Day to catch up with each other one-on-one in support of each other’s mental health.

“What we’re looking to do is have a discussion around R U OK? and the importance of it at the moment,” said Lynch.

“For us it’s looking after each other but it’s also our families - we’re all away from our families in such a difficult time - so that’ll be a discussion I’ll help to facilitate with the girls.

“I think if someone’s going through something personally, it’s going to be your teammates who notice it, so we really try hard to practice that messaging - asking each other if we’re OK, the listening, all of those things are key because we’ve really got to try and look after each other and help each person get through whatever challenges they’re facing in that particular moment.”

The importance of checking in and making time for a conversation carries particular weight for those in lockdown, where opportunities to be around friends and family are severely limited.

Even if it’s a video call or on the phone, a conversation could change a life.

If you feel like you need to reach out to somebody, or you’re worried about someone you know – don’t be afraid to ask R U OK?

“It’s really important that people have the confidence to firstly ask, but also know that listening might be the most important thing you can do for that person. Simply being there for them, listening to them, providing some support,” says Lynch.

“It’s all about listening and supporting them, encouraging them to take some action and then following up afterwards.”

Visit https://www.ruok.org.au/ for tips on how to ask the question, how to follow up if someone says they’re not OK, as well as other helpful resources and links.