As the common ‘how are you’ morphed from a question to a pleasantry, checking in with one another somehow became a more difficult task. Today’s R U OK? Day puts power back in the question, urging Australians to make space for a conversation about mental health. 

R U OK? Day has become the country’s reminder to ask those around us how they are coping, and in the bush it’s importance can’t be underestimated. 

According to the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA), suicide rates in rural and remote communities are 50 per cent higher than in major cities. 

RDAA president Megan Belot said while living in the country has unlimited perks, it still has its own pressures. 

“There are the usual pressures of family relationships and breakdowns, drug and alcohol dependency and unemployment, as well as the myriad of other issues that can impact people’s mental health," she said. 

“Many rural Australians are also facing significant financial pressures." 

The impact of isolation in remote areas only compounds on existing pressures. 

Whether on the phone or in person, checking in with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues could make the difference in someone’s day, and potentially their life. 

“R U OK? Day is a good reminder that we need to regularly ask those around us how they are coping – and if they aren’t coping, to try to help them. 

“We need to make R U OK? part of the everyday conversation, and we all need to be looking out for signs that our friends or family members aren’t coping. 

Suicide Prevention Project Officer in Regional NSW Seryn Adams is passionate about the cause after her own experience with depression. 

“My Mum was able to recognise that I wasn’t myself, I wasn’t answering text messages, I wouldn’t pick up the phone, I wasn’t doing the normal things that I would,” explained Ms Adams. 

“She asked me a few times before I was willing to open up and say that I was really struggling and that I had been contemplating suicide,” she said. 

“My Mum is not an expert, she had no experience with someone who had felt like this before and it must have been so confronting, her own daughter contemplating suicide,” said Ms Adams.

“She talked me through all the practical things we could do to get some more support and really encouraged me to speak to someone.” 

This year’s campaign is ‘Ask R U OK? No qualifications needed’, after R U OK? Day research found that four in ten Australians think asking that question might start a conversation that could be more suited to an expert. 

“When I talk to people now about how to ask the R U OK? question I remind them, you don’t have to be an expert, you just have to be there to listen and to support them through what they’re experiencing and encourage them to be able to seek some help,” Ms Adams said.

Dr Belot said that while doctors can and want to help, friends and family are a good place to start. 

“Importantly, if you are feeling down, depressed or a little lost in life, we urge you to reach out to family or friends to seek help…as they want to help you,” Dr Belot said.  

For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.