Canberra hosts the R U OK? Conversation Convoy

Australian Defence Force

The Conversation Convoy was honoured to start R U OK?Day at the Australian Defence Force in Russell, with a breakfast for over 300 members of the ADF, and staff, as the sun rose over Canberra. 

The Defence event at Russell was one of more than 100 held around the country, including presentations, gatherings and base events at RAAF Base Tindal, Larrakeyah Naval Base, Robertson Barracks, RAAF Base Pearce, HMAS Penguin, Puckapunyal, RAAF Base Edinburgh, HMAS Albatross, Kokoda Barracks, East Sale, HMAS Cairns, Gallipoli Barracks, the Royal Military College and the Australian Defence Force Academy. 

Supported by service men and women from all three forces, Air Force, Navy and Army, the Russell breakfast for R U OK?Day was also an opportunity to stop and reflect following the release of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. 

Deputy Secretary of Defence People Justine Greig and Head of People and Capability Major General Wade Stothart addressed those in attendance, alongside R U OK? Community Director Lach Searle who highlighted the importance of a culture of looking out for your mates and your colleagues, any day, not just on R U OK?Day. 

Minister for Defence Personnel Matt Keogh MP was also amongst those in the crowd speaking to ADF members, as well as helping out with the sausage sizzle, alongside Air Marshal Robert Chipman who was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July. 

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) takes a lead role in The National Suicide and Self-harm Monitoring System established as part of the national effort to address suicide and self-harm in Australia. The system will improve the quality, accessibility and timeliness of data on deaths by suicide and on self-harming and suicidal behaviours. It aims to provide a better understanding of suicide and self-harm in Australia by: 

• explaining the nature and extent of suicidal and self-harming behaviours 
• improving the quality and breadth of data available to help identify trends, emerging areas of concern and to inform responses 
• highlighting those at increased risk. 

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare CEO, Dr Zoran Bolevich said having the Conversation Convoy on site for R U OK? Day was a special opportunity to acknowledge the important the work of the AIHW, and for staff to check in with their colleagues.

“The R U OK? Conversation Convoy is a fantastic initiative. We were honoured to have the full activation at our main Canberra office for R U OK? Day this year to learn more about what it means to have an R U OK? conversation in the workplace,” said Dr Bolevich.

“Our agency publishes data and information to help our stakeholders – and the broader Australian community – better understand mental ill-health in Australia. To hear the R U OK? team reflect on how they use our data to meaningfully engage with communities across the country and provide support where it is needed the most, reinforces the importance of the ongoing work we undertake.

“At the AIHW, we pride ourselves on having a strong, diverse and accepting workplace culture. What better way to celebrate this culture and the work we do on R U OK? Day than to enjoy a thoughtful presentation, BBQ with colleagues and remind ourselves that a simple ‘are you ok’ question can encourage important conversations and connections.”

The AIHW’s vision is for stronger evidence, better decisions and improved health and welfare so to have the R U OK? Conversation Convoy on site for our biggest day of the year was also a thank you to all of those in the suicide and mental health sector who work towards improved health and welfare for all Australians. 

Running for Resilience

Any day can be a day to ask, 'Are you OK?', which is why our Conversation Convoy sprang into action again the morning after R U OK?Day as the sun rose over the Kingston Foreshore in Canberra. Linking up with local charity Running for Resilience, more than 150 runners set off for their morning run, walk and catch up on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, before returning to an R U OK? breakfast, presentation and many conversations. 

Former Wallaby and Running for Resilience advocate Ben Alexander was a key driver in linking up with the R U OK? Conversation Convoy to combine the two organisations looking to foster community connection, and said the turnout was a best-ever result for a Friday morning. 

“Every time we get together, we’re showing Canberra how many people believe exercising with friends can help save lives. So to have 150 here for our R U OK? breakfast is a clear sign that the message is getting out there and Canberrans are connecting through R4R,” said Ben. 

ACT Young Australian of the Year Nominee for 2022 Matt Breen lost his Dad to suicide in 2010 and his Mum to ovarian cancer in 2021, and established Running for Resilience in 2019, as an exercise campaign to empower people to turn their struggles into positive ones through movement. 

“Three years ago on R U OK?Day we officially named the ‘Arc de Resilience’ here in Kingston, and today, to have a record number of people here for a Friday run, and chat afterwards, shows just how far we’ve come,” said Ben. 

“We know that everyone faces challenges, and although people may appear composed, many are dealing with hidden struggles. And most importantly, we’re signalling to someone doing it tough that there's a community aware of their pain and hasn’t lost faith in their ability to recover.” 

As a grass roots organisation Running for Resilience is going from the strength-to-strength and now also holds Strolling for Resilience on a Thursday morning for new parents to connect and exercise, as well as an R4R program targeted specifically for university students through the University of Canberra.