R U OK? Who will you ask?

Janina Nearn | September 13, 2011

The success of R U OK? Day can be attributed to its simplicity. The idea for this national day of action on 15 September emerged in 2008 after Gavin Larkin asked if I could make a documentary to share his story of how his father’s suicide had shaken his family. His grief had affected him and his brothers in different ways but 15 years on it was still causing a ripple effect and a great deal of frustration. 

 

Gavin was passionate about preventing suicide and the pain of those left behind after and I shared his desire to make a difference. While I pursued the potential to produce a powerful documentary, I was also mindful that a documentary alone wouldn’t be enough to support those at risk or bereaved. I suggested that a campaign would more likely change behaviour in Australia and with Gavin’s ad agency experience and contacts we began to explore the possibilities. 

 

The campaign took off at a rate of knots due to the overwhelming amount of people who were drawn to the simple yet effective concept and offered their pro bono help. Before we knew it, we had launched the campaign at Parliament House in Canberra with the support of the Australian Government. But after a whirlwind of activity in 2009, it emerged that Gavin wasn’t OK. He was diagnosed with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. It’s an illness that is slowing stealing Gav’s life but not his determination to make R U OK? Day a truly national event. He knows that suicide is never dignified and leaves behind a legacy of pain. It’s something we both want to put a stop to.

 

Each year, more than 2 100 Australians take their life. It is a frightening figure when you consider the number of families, friends, colleagues, neighbours and children left behind, bereaved. What is more troubling is that for every life ended in this way, it’s estimated that another 30 people attempt to take their life. That’s more than 60 000 Australians affected every year. That’s hundreds of thousands of Australians affected indirectly every year by suicide.

 

I use this figure not to scare people about the enormity of the problem (although, it is enormous). I use this figure to show that we all have a responsibility to stay connected and be aware of the problems of people around us. As a community that prides itself on mateship, we need to be fearless when it comes to talking about difficult, personal and emotional issues.

 

R U OK? Day aims to change behaviour and our long-term goal is to eliminate suicide in Australia. We are unabashed in our ambition but we are supported in our endeavours from the Australian Government; through sponsorship from Medibank Community Fund and Gloria Jean’s Coffees; and by the inexhaustible expertise of our information partners from the mental health and suicide prevention sector.

 

When I first started researching the issue of suicide within Australia I was surprised at how fragmented it was to find relevant information. I remember thinking that I was glad I wasn’t at risk and merely doing research. R U OK? Day has brought together the mental health sector for the first time to provide clarity to the support that is available in Australia. We don’t want to re invent the wheel. Our aim is to encourage more conversations and help direct people to the information and help that is already out there. There are so many groups and not-for-profits doing a fantastic job in Australia and they deserve to be acknowledged. I think it’s important that we unite together to and bring this silent killer to an end.   

 

In only three years R U OK? Day has gained huge momentum nationally. Last year, 2 million Australians got involved and on Thursday September 15 we anticipate 3 million Australians asking “Are you Okay?” We are also really excited that NSW Parliament and the Australian Parliamentary Friends of Mental Illness are hosting bi-partisan morning teas. It reinforces the message that asking “R U OK?” is something that we all have the capacity to make time for – regardless of how busy we are.Moreover, by having members of parliament from both sides of politics attend, it reinforces that suicide prevention is a national priority and transcends party politics.