One of the most well renowned theories behind preventing suicide is by Dr Thomas Joiner whose theory describes three forces at play in someone at risk of suicide.One of which is a decreased sense of belonging – it’s this lack of belonging and sense of connection that the R U OK? organisation is working to prevent.
R U OK? Day is an annual national day of action held on the second Thursday of September, with this years on September 9, and a reminder that every day is a day to start a conversation.
Founded in 2009 by adman Gavin Larkin who tragically lost his father to suicide in 1995, the purpose of R U OK? is to spare other families the grief Larkin’s family endured.
A spark of an idea has since become a national movement aimed at encouraging everyone to genuinely ask the question and have a meaningful conversation with anyone in their world who might be struggling.
Conversation tips and crisis support contacts can be found at ruok.org.au.
