Asking “Are you okay?”

Cook Australia joins the R U OK? Conversation Movement

Studies have shown that sometimes asking the simplest of questions can have a meaningful impact. One of these questions is “Are you okay?”

One of the major goals of Australia’s national R U OK? Conversation Movement is to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with those in their world and lend support when they are struggling with life, especially by taking the time to ask someone if they are okay.¹ This year, R U OK? Day was September 8, 2022.

What is R U OK? Day?

R U OK? is a national Australian charity that encourages people to not only stay connected with their friends and family, but have a conversation with those around them who are going through difficulties in their lives. The charity contributes to several suicide prevention efforts by helping people understand the importance in building impactful relationships and offering support.

Every year, on the first Thursday of September, the charity has a national R U OK? Day, a campaign to encourage people from across the country to connect with people in their communities that may be struggling and ask them that very important question, “Are you okay?” This year, the theme for R U OK? Day was around the importance of starting a conversation, no qualifications needed.

Inspired by the concept, employees at Cook Australia helped share the movement’s message, raised awareness for suicide prevention, and started conversations with each other to offer support and understanding to one another.

Why is it important to ask “Are you okay?” and have a conversation in the workplace?

Suicide is still one of the leading causes of death in the world and is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44. Studies have shown that a majority of people that work in a corporate job go home feeling stressed and anxious. Which is why checking up on our work peers and colleagues is so important. You may have a feeling that something isn’t quite right with someone you know and care about, which is why taking that first step is crucial.

Keeping the conversation going

While asking the important question “Are you okay?” is crucial, it is also essential to keep the conversation going. Sometimes, by just asking if someone is okay, we tend to believe we’ve done our job when in fact, the person we are asking may be in need of further support or even just someone to talk to. R U OK? has put together a list of tips for people to use to listen and keep the conversation going that can be accessed by clicking here.

What Cook Australia does for R U OK? Day

Each year, Cook Australia has several initiatives organized to promote mental health awareness and to help employees take that first step to asking, “Are you okay?” This year, the Cook Australia Wellbeing Ambassadors held an onsite barbecue for all onsite and hybrid employees. This gave employees an opportunity to meet each other in a large gathering for the first time since the pandemic and to start a conversation.

The R U OK? BBQ was the first, large onsite event Cook Australia held in almost three years. Employees had the chance to enjoy the sausage sizzle, grab some fruit and a drink, receive an R U OK? message card from Cook, and also write their own message of support on our R U OK? Day message board.

Reflecting on last year, Cook Australia gave out “Conversation Starter Kits” that were equipped with a candy, tea bags, and conversation cards for each employee to use with a friend, family member, or colleague.

You can watch videos the Cook Australia team put together in 2021 about what R U OK? means to them!

How you can help raise awareness

R U OK? Day is first and foremost a day to raise awareness around suicide prevention and mental health. By having regular conversations with your friends and colleagues, you will be taking that first step towards helping change someone’s life.

If you are struggling and would like to speak to someone, remember the four steps for asking ‘R U OK?’

You don’t need to be an expert to reach out – just a good listener. Use these four steps below and check out the R U OK? website for more tips on how to have a conversation that could change a life.

Chatting one-on-one

For some, individual check-ins could be another option to consider. If you have concerns regarding the mental well-being of an employee, we encourage you to check in one-on-one. You can check in with them and start a conversation by asking if they are okay.

Please note that you can contact an HR partner for support through this process.

Also, if you have an employee or colleague who may need additional support, please remind them of Cook’s employee assistance program (EAP) through Access EAP. This is a professional counseling service available to employees and their immediate household.

It is important to remember that you don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when someone says they’re not okay. Even if you don’t know exactly what to say, you can help someone feel supported and help them to access appropriate help, which can make a positive difference in their life.

The employee assistance program

You may have heard about EAP but aren’t sure what it is. EAP is a service available to you and members of your household at no extra cost. It’s designed to help you with everyday problems and questions, big or small.

Whatever’s troubling you, you don’t have to face it alone. For US-based employees, call 800.865.1044, or visit anthemeap.com and enter “COOK” to log in. For Australia-based employees, call 1800 818 728, or visit www.accesseap.com.au and enter the username “mentallyhealthy@cookmedical.com” and “accesseap” for the password to log in.

For a full list of global contact information for regional EAP support service providers, click here.

For more information on how to check in and start a conversation with someone about the R U OK? Day movement, click here. You can also click here to check out the R U OK? Workplace Guidebook.

References

1. A conversation could change a life. R U OK? Web site. https://www.ruok.org.au. Accessed on 2 March 2022.

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