Eight years of checking in highlights power of R U OK? message
hello • 7 May 2020
For the past eight years, good friends John and Ann have made a commitment to check in with each other once a week to stay connected through life’s ups and downs. We spoke to John and Ann to find out how it all began.
“This all started when a mutual friend took her own life. She had a few problems as we all do, but nothing that we thought would lead to her death by suicide. We were all in a bit of shock and tried to think about what we didn’t see or hear, but there was nothing.
“Now we make sure to check in every Sunday and we’ve kept it going for eight years because we know that one question – “Are you OK?” - can make us stop and think, “am I really OK?”. If we are struggling through something, having someone genuinely ask R U OK? reminds us that we have a listening ear to hear us if we are not. At times we are not ok, and we can honestly share that with each other. Sharing what’s going on is sometimes all it takes to feel better about what’s happening.
“By keeping in regular contact, we’re well equipped to notice the signs that one of us is struggling. If we notice a difference in inflection, wording or attitude, then we know it’s time to trust those signs and ask R U OK?”
We asked John why he thinks everyone should stay connected and ask R U OK?
“We all go through stuff, but just having someone to ask the simple question 'R U OK?' can make a world of difference,” he said.
Thank you, John and Ann, for sharing your story and showing the power of a conversation and a regular check in with our friends.
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