No, It’s not enough to just ask R U OK?

Over the years R U OK? day has become a huge mental health awareness campaign. It was started by Gavin Larkin following the death by suicide of his father Barry Larkin. Gavin has spoken widely about the fact that he wished he has asked him one question that might have changed things – are you ok?

The R U OK? day movement grew from Gavin’s mental health advocacy. The idea behind it makes sense – having conversations about mental health, and giving people the opportunity to say “no, I’m not ok,” can help to build relationships, destigmatise mental illness, and get help to those who need it.

However, the way that it has been adopted and evolved over the years has turned it into something other than what Gavin intended. Unfortunately this is another example of why good intentions and a great marketing strategy alone are not enough.

Here’s the reality – although R U OK? day has been a positive catalyst for a conversation about mental health, it also causes harms.

Read the full article at The Trauma-informed Leader on Substack