Today, 10 September, is R U OK? Day, an important reminder to check in with the people around us, including our colleagues.
Working in healthcare can be demanding. In a fast-paced and often challenging environment, we can experience situations that affect us emotionally, both individually and as teams. Taking the time to check in with one another can make a real difference.
While R U OK? Day provides an opportunity to start the conversation, asking “Are you OK?” shouldn’t be limited to one day of the year. Meaningful conversations can be part of our everyday workplace culture and are another way we bring our values of Safe, Kind, Together to life through care, empathy and kindness towards one another.
Research shows that nine in ten Australians report feeling grateful, supported and cared for simply by being asked if they’re OK. While starting a conversation can sometimes feel daunting, you don’t need to have all the answers. Listening without judgement, being present and showing genuine care can help a colleague feel supported and connected.
This is particularly important for managers, team leaders and senior leaders, who play an important role in creating psychologically safe workplaces where people feel comfortable speaking up and asking for support.
R U OK? encourages us to trust the signs that someone might be struggling and reach out when something doesn’t seem quite right. Perhaps a colleague seems more withdrawn or agitated, is behaving differently or simply doesn’t seem like themselves. Recognising these changes and taking the time to check in is something we can all do.
The Northern Health intranet has practical tips and tools to help you start and navigate an R U OK? conversation – not just on R U OK? Day, but throughout the year.
Visit the R U OK? intranet page for more information.
This year, Northern Health marked R U OK? Day with a range of activities and resources designed to encourage connection, conversation and wellbeing across our workplaces.
Staff were invited to a R U OK? Day Pop Up, where they could meet members of the Wellbeing Team and Northern Health Staff Peer Supporters, explore practical conversation starters and wellbeing resources, learn more about supports available to staff, and pause and connect while enjoying a performance by the Northern Health Choir.
The Northern Health Library, located in the corridor near Lecture Theatre 1, also featured a special R U OK? Day book display alongside its Wellbeing Space, giving staff another place to pause, connect and recharge. Activities included communal jigsaws, colouring, a Gratitude Wall and Pet Wall, as well as quiet spaces and leisure reading collections.
Staff could borrow books to take home or choose to send books to colleagues at other Northern Health sites. The Library can also support teams to create their own simple wellbeing spaces, helping make opportunities for connection and wellbeing more accessible across Northern Health.
Managers were encouraged to host team activities that foster connection, collegial support and care, while helping to normalise R U OK? conversations. A range of simple event ideas and resources is available for managers to use on R U OK? Day or at any time throughout the year.
Access the team event resources here.
This year, teams can also take part in our Small Steps, Well Teams competition, showcasing simple wellbeing initiatives that encourage regular check-ins, strengthen connection and support wellbeing at work.
These actions might include a fortnightly team breakfast or morning tea, a five-minute check-in at the end of handover or huddle, walking meetings, an enhanced buddy system, a gratitude board, a quiet recharge space, or team stretching and mindfulness activities.
Whatever the initiative, we want to hear how teams across Northern Health are finding meaningful ways to connect and support one another.
Entries are open until 13 September, with the winning team receiving a $200 EFTPOS gift card to spend together.
Find out more and enter the Small Steps, Well Teams competition.
We asked some of our employees about what R U OK? Day means to them. Here’s what they shared with us:
Tracey Wyllie, Director OHS & Wellbeing
“R U OK? Day is a powerful reminder that meaningful conversations aren’t just ‘nice moments’ – they can be deeply impactful. It encourages us to pause, look beyond the surface and genuinely check in with the people we work with every day. In a busy healthcare environment, where pressures can be high and the pace relentless, fostering a culture of connection isn’t optional. It’s essential. When we create a workplace where people feel safe to speak up, supported when things get tough and cared for, we strengthen our teams and our wellbeing.”
Lori Bennett, Switchboard Operator and Staff Peer Supporter
“R U OK? Day reminds me that a simple conversation can be powerful, but the culture we create through our actions every other day is what makes that conversation possible. Asking ‘Are you OK?’ helps create an environment where people feel seen, valued and supported. It encourages us to look out for one another, listen without judgement and recognise when a colleague might need some extra support.”
Tania Barry, Director Library and Information Literacy Services
“R U OK? Day is a good reminder that behind every role and service is a person. Libraries are about connecting people with the information and support they need, and that same spirit of connection and care extends to how we support our colleagues at Northern Health. When we create a culture of connection, care and collegial support, everyone benefits.”
Laura Defazio, Manager Human Resources
“R U OK? Day reminds us that difficult times can affect any of us, personally or professionally, and that poor mental health doesn’t discriminate. To me, it’s about mateship – checking in, genuinely listening and creating a workplace where people feel connected, supported and cared for.”
Bianca Fazzari, Psychosocial Safety and Wellbeing Consultant
“I see R U OK? Day as an important reminder that a mentally healthy workplace is built through everyday interactions. Creating a culture where people feel safe to check in, speak openly, ask for help and genuinely listen to each other is everyone’s responsibility.
It’s not about having all the answers – it’s about creating the kind of workplace where people know they will be heard, supported and treated with kindness and care.”
Vasalia Govender, OHS Consultant
“To me, R U OK? Day is about connection, kindness and reminding people that they don’t have to face challenges alone. As an OHS professional with lived experience, I’ve seen the positive impact that comes from simply checking in and creating space for honest conversations. A workplace culture built on support, care and genuine connection helps people feel valued, included and confident to speak up when they need help or have concerns. When we look out for one another and encourage open conversations, we create healthier workplaces where everyone can thrive.”
R U OK? Day may be one day on the calendar, but checking in, listening and looking out for one another are things we can practise every day.
Because sometimes, a simple “Are you OK?” is a good place to start.