If you want to get behind R U OK ? Day on September 11 (or on any day), here are some ideas to get you started.
Download the R U OK? Day workplace resources to start conversations. These resources include posters and banners for your waiting room, conversation guides, and ready-to-share social media tiles. Or, share the location of these resources with staff members to use as and when they wish.
While time may be running out as R U OK? Day fast approaches at the time of writing, there is no reason an R U OK? event cannot be held another time. As the initiative says, “Ask R U OK? any day.”
It could be as simple as organising a morning tea for your staff, inviting local health professionals to join a community-wide get-together, or encouraging patients to check in with their own mental health by hosting a casual get-together in your practice.
Always remember to refer to the Duty of Care guide and reach out to the R U OK? list of resources for support or advice. Another useful channel of support for members of the Australian Podiatry Association is the Member Assistance Program which provides round-the-clock counselling free of charge.
This range of community kits is tailored to ensure all messages are culturally relevant. You can download these free kits to align with any of your activities during and beyond R U OK? Day.
This may be especially relevant if you service rural populations, or work with people who are neurodiverse, young, LGBTIQ+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, or in culturally and linguistically diverse groups (CALD) – with 14 languages available, and Auslan resources (at the bottom of this linked page).
This targeted approach helps to remove barriers and start conversations, reinforcing your professional and personal commitment to inclusivity.
If you have had time to look at the website, you’ll see there’s a section called Your Stories. It’s a powerful reminder of the impact a simple question can have. As a podiatrist, perhaps even as a practice owner, you can share selected stories from the website (with permission and credit provided) in your staff newsletters, social media, or even on a physical noticeboard in your clinic.
By sharing real-life examples where asking R U OK? led to change or support, or even saved a life, you can help support others – whether anonymously or publicly – to start their own conversations.
Importantly, once again, please refer to the Duty of Care guide and reach out to the R U OK? list of resources for support or advice. Also refer to the Member Assistance Program which provides around the clock counselling free of charge.
Your fundraiser does not need to take place on the day itself, it can happen after the day, as long as the funds are directed to R U OK? programs. All of the fundraising information and resources can be accessed any day of the year.
Perhaps you may link fundraising efforts to a specific milestone in your practice, or even run a seasonal promotion to engage both your staff and patients – such as a pre-Christmas R U OK? fundraiser, given that Christmas may be when loneliness feels more acute.
Whatever it is, fundraising may not only strengthen team bonds, but also demonstrate to your community that you support mental health initiatives in a hands-on way.
Whatever you choose to do, please ensure these activities work for you and your own mental health, and that of the people you come into contact with. Remember, free professional support is available to APodA members, 24 hours a day, seven days a week via the Member Assistance Program.
And ultimately, remember to ask yourself in your quieter moments, are you okay? And if you’re not, know that confidential support is always available to you via any of these linked resources (scroll down to find them).
© Copyright 2021 The Australian Podiatry Association
