A few weeks ago it was ‘RU OK?’ day and Suicide Prevention Day. The days helped to raise awareness about mental health and starts the conversation. These days have come and gone. Yet, I think it is important to continue to ask ‘RU OK?’…ask and listen. It is absolutely important to ask this regularly and also listen. Listen for the answer. So often we ask ‘How are you?’ when we see someone, and keep walking without waiting for an answer. Or automatically respond with ‘I’m good’ when someone says ‘Hello’. I have caught myself saying this before – and thought slow down!…Pause. Listen.
How can you help someone you are concerned about?
- Ask RU OK?
- Listen
- Encourage action
- Check in
Let’s keep asking and keep listening, all the time, not only on a few days a year.
Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash