09/09/2026
Today is R U OK? Day. As a 40 something year old male, today means a lot to me. The day is all about asking your work colleagues, friends, children or even strangers, R U OK?
Make sure you listen with an open mind, give encouragement and make sure you check in later on to make sure they're still doing OK.
I have a little saying. "Some days are diamonds". Yes, the old John Denver song. I look at it like we have to take the good with the bad and allow ourselves to be resilient through those harder days so that we can shine just that little bit more, even on the dull days.
My biggest tool in my arsenal is a pen and paper. I write thoughts down. Sometimes they get changed into song lyrics, sometimes they stay as scribble on a page or sometimes they even turn into a poem.
So today, I will say yes, I am ok. I am alive, I am loved, I am healthy (relatively) and I am right here in the middle, where I should be.
Whoever you are, wherever you are, I hope you're doing OK.
If you or anyone you know is not doing OK, there is Immediate and Crisis support available 24/7.
Lifeline Australia call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14
Beyond Blue Call 1300 22 4636 or their online services chat for support with anxiety and depression
Triple 0 for anything immediately or if someone's life is in danger.
