3 top takeaways from our R U OK?Day webinar
Key insights from our R U OK?Day webinar with Groov VP Clinical Dr Fiona Crichton and Director at White Ribbon Australia Allan Ball.
It’s R U OK?Day in Australia today – a national day to remind us all to check in with the people around us.
Sometimes, it can be a bit awkward or tricky to know how to start these conversations in the workplace, so we had the amazing Dr Fiona Crichton and Allan Ball share their advice and insights.
Watch the webinar recording or read our top three takeaways below!
1. Every day is a good day to ask R U OK?
Asking R U OK? is incredibly important when you think someone you work with might be struggling, but Dr Fiona and Allan encourage everyone to ask this question often, not just during times of perceived crisis.
“We’ve got to be disciplined with it. If you’re asking people about their weekend or that great thing they watched on television or TikTok, why not replace that with a check-in? Ask, ‘how are you going?’, instead,” suggests Allan.
The more you ask the question, the more normal these conversations will become over time – helping to build trust and reduce awkwardness.
“People like it!” says Dr Fiona. “It shows genuine curiosity and that you genuinely care.”
2. Asking R U OK? gives the gift of listening
Many people hesitate to ask R U OK? because they’re worried about saying the wrong thing. But asking R U OK? is actually about listening. It gives people your time, attention, and active listening ear – which can be a real gift.
“From a neuroscience point of view, when people have the opportunity to talk about what’s going on for them, something incredible happens in the brain. The amygdala (the part responsible for fight or flight) stands down and the part responsible for emotional processing lights up. Just by talking about our feelings, the brain starts to relax,” explains Dr Fiona.
When people start opening up to you, it’s important to reassure them that you’re listening and this is a safe, non-judgemental space for them to be vulnerable.
As Allan says, active listening “isn’t just about the words that come out of your mouth – it’s the way you hold space and hold time. Don’t interrupt or get distracted. Listen with empathy.”
3. How to spot if someone isn’t OK and what to do next
Often, people will say they’re fine even when they’re not. Dr Fiona says it’s important to keep an eye out for subtle changes in someone’s body, mood, or behaviour.
“Are people reporting more muscle aches or tension headaches? Are they quieter, angrier, sadder, or snappier? Have they become withdrawn, started showing up late when they’re usually early, or any other kind of behaviour change? These are just a few of the things to look out for,” says Dr Fiona.
If you do believe someone might be struggling, make sure you’re in the right headspace to have a conversation.
“The R U OK? conversation can only happen if you’re ready to hear the answers. If you’re not in a good space, see if someone else can have the conversation,” says Dr Fiona.
It’s also really important to have a plan of what to do next if someone says they’re not OK.
“Groov’s CARE framework can help guide these conversations, including what to do if someone is struggling,” says Dr Fiona.
“CARE is about checking in, actively listening, reassuring, and encouraging help. It’s an ideal resource to help you go into R U OK?Day conversations in the workplace.”
Try our CARE framework to guide you through an R U OK? conversation.
For more fantastic R U OK?Day resources, visit ruok.org.au.