Written by Jenny

Despite some misconceptions out there, R U OK? day is not about asking anyone ‘Are you okay?’ insincerely with the expectation that they will say ‘Yes, I’m good. Thank you. How about you?’.

In these modern times and more than ever in history, we are seemingly more connected to everyone – through the boom of mobile phones and social media.

In the great hustle of our lives as students, workers and people, it makes it so easy for us to take for granted the deep connections with our friends and family.

In the great hustle of our lives as students, workers and people, it makes it so easy for us to stay connected with others as we see them throughout the day or when they post a photo and think that they are okay. But it also makes it so easy for us to take for granted the deep connections with our friends and family as we think they will always be there and you can talk to them later.

We can all put up a brave face to each other and to the world and want to show the best of ourselves on Facebook or Instagram, even when everything is not going well. We may never know unless we ask, in a respectful matter and at the right moment.

We can use R U OK? Day as a reminder to truly connect with the people we deeply care about and to learn about how we can get ready to ask and how to ask. Use this day as a day to learn about how you can care for the people you love. I know it can seem difficult or intrusive to you when asking the question, “how are you going?’, but remember, by starting a deep and meaningful conversation you can deepen your relationship and show that you care.

If you need to talk to someone about how you are feeling or your concerns for someone you know, Monash University has some great free services for students. You can:

• make an appointment to see a counsellor on campus here 
• Talk to a counsellor through free and confidential phone counselling service that opens 24/7,
  • Students: 1300 STUDENT (1300 788 336)
  • Staff: 1300 360 364  
• Talk to a counsellor online here (there is a waiting period)

For some tips on getting ready to ask and how to ask someone how they are going, check out this from R U OK and watch a 30 seconds video of 4 steps on how to ask here.