Sometimes, asking “Are you OK?” is only the beginning.
Thursday, 10 September is R U OK? Day 2026, but this year’s message — “Ask R U OK? Any Day” — reminds us that meaningful conversations shouldn’t be limited to one day of the year. Life’s ups and downs happen every day, and checking in when someone is on your mind can help them feel cared for, supported and less alone.
Last year, we explored how to recognise when someone might be struggling and how to start that sometimes-difficult conversation.
This year, we want to take it one step further.
What happens when you ask “Are you OK?” and the answer is “No”?
You don’t need to have all the answers. But knowing how to listen, what support might be available and when to encourage professional help can make the next step feel a little less overwhelming.
first, listen
When someone tells you they’re struggling, our instinct can be to find a solution.
But you don’t have to fix everything.
Give them time to explain what has been happening. Listen without judgement and resist the urge to immediately compare their experience with your own or tell them what they “should” do.
Sometimes simply having someone genuinely listen can help a person feel supported.
You might ask:
- “Do you want to tell me more about what’s been happening?”
- “How long have you been feeling like this?”
- “What would feel helpful for you right now?”
- “Is there someone you feel comfortable talking to about this?”
And if they aren’t ready to talk, you can still remind them that you’re there when they are.
R U OK? encourages Australians to trust their instincts and start a conversation when someone is on their mind, rather than waiting for a particular date or occasion.
mental and physical health are connected
When someone isn’t feeling like themselves, there may not be one simple explanation.
Mental and physical health can influence one another. Stress and trauma can affect both emotional and physical wellbeing, while people experiencing mental illness can also experience physical health conditions. Social isolation and loneliness can likewise affect both mental and physical health.
Think about someone experiencing persistent pain, for example.
Pain may affect their sleep. Poor sleep may affect their energy and concentration. They might stop exercising or doing activities they enjoy. Over time, those changes can affect their mood, relationships, work and overall wellbeing.
Likewise, someone experiencing prolonged stress or low mood may find it harder to maintain routines around movement, nutrition, sleep or managing an existing health condition.
It’s one reason healthcare often works best when we consider the whole person, rather than looking at individual symptoms in isolation.
knowing when to suggest professional support
Being there for someone matters, but friends, colleagues and family members aren’t expected to become counsellors or healthcare professionals.
Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is encourage someone to seek additional support.
For many people, speaking with their GP can be a useful starting point. A GP can discuss what has been happening, consider relevant physical and mental health factors and help determine what type of care or further support may be appropriate.
Depending on the person’s individual circumstances, support may involve different healthcare professionals and services.
Australia’s primary mental healthcare system increasingly recognises the role of integrated and multidisciplinary approaches, particularly when a person’s needs are more complex.
why connected care matters
At GO2 Health, we believe health isn’t something that always fits neatly into separate boxes.
A person may initially see their GP about one concern, only to discover that other factors are contributing to how they feel.
Someone living with persistent musculoskeletal pain, for example, may require medical assessment while also benefiting from appropriate physiotherapy or exercise support.
Another person may be managing a health condition alongside stress, poor sleep or changes in their mental wellbeing.
This is where connected care can make a difference.
Rather than looking at each concern independently, a multidisciplinary approach can help healthcare professionals consider different aspects of a patient’s health and work towards shared goals.
It doesn’t mean everyone needs multiple practitioners. Care should always reflect the needs of the individual.
What it does mean is that when additional support is appropriate, there can be value in having healthcare professionals communicate and work together rather than expecting the patient to navigate every aspect of their care alone.
don't forget to check in again
One conversation isn’t always enough.
If someone has told you they’re going through a difficult time, checking in again can show them that your concern wasn’t limited to that one moment.
It might be a phone call a few days later.
A text asking how their appointment went.
An invitation to go for a walk.
Or simply:
“I’ve been thinking about you. How are you going?”
Connection doesn’t have to be complicated. AIHW identifies social connection as an important determinant of health and reports that social isolation and loneliness can negatively affect both mental and physical wellbeing.
ask r u okay? any day
R U OK? Day is a valuable reminder, but we don’t need to wait until September to check in.
If someone’s behaviour has changed, they seem to be having a difficult time, or you simply have a feeling that something isn’t right, start the conversation.
Listen.
Encourage appropriate support.
And check in again.
And if you’re the person who isn’t OK, remember that you don’t have to work out the next step by yourself. Reaching out to someone you trust or speaking with a healthcare professional can be a place to start.
At GO2 Health, our team provides general practice and allied health services with a focus on connected, patient-centred care.
To make an appointment with GO2 Health, book online or contact our team on (07) 3355 5540.
If You or Someone You Know Needs Urgent Support
If someone’s life is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
For 24/7 crisis support, contact:
Lifeline — 13 11 14
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling — 1800 011 046
R U OK? itself does not provide crisis intervention or counselling and recommends seeking professional or crisis support where required.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.
References
1. R U OK? (2026). R U OK? Day – Ask R U OK? Any Day.
R U OK? Day 2026
2. R U OK? (2026). Frequently Asked Questions.
R U OK? FAQs
3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026). Health & wellbeing – Mental health.
AIHW – Mental health and wellbeing
4. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2026). Social isolation and loneliness.
AIHW – Social isolation and loneliness
5. Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. (2026). Primary Mental Health Care Guidance – Mental Health Multidisciplinary Services for people with complex mental health needs in primary care settings.
Australian Government – Mental health and suicide prevention
