Mental health is a major concern worldwide. 1 in 8 people suffer from mental health issues, with anxiety and depressive disorders the most common. Poor mental health is often stigmatized, which makes it difficult for people to share their burdens. R U OK? Day fights to reverse this trend by encouraging people to mindfully listen to their peers and have conversations that can change lives. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s R U OK? Day?

👉 Official Name: R U OK? Day
💚 Cause: Improve mental health and social support through open conversations
📅 Next Date: September 10, 2026
🌐 Official Website: www.ruok.org.au/r-u-ok-day
🐦 Hashtag: #RUOKDay, #ruokday, #MentalHealthMatters

Keep reading to find out all the important information about R U OK? Day at a glance: its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About R U OK? Day at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: R U OK? Day is part of the larger “R U OK?” campaign across Australia, that empowers people to meaningfully connect with loved ones and lend support when they are struggling with life. In this way, they want to advance suicide prevention by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and build support networks – friends, family, colleagues – that pay attention to those around them long before they’re in crisis. The observance inspires conversations and supportive events in schools, workplaces, and communities.

2️⃣ Why it is important: Suicide is a serious public health problem, with 720,000 people dying by suicide every year. Suicide is also the third leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds. In Australia alone, around 8 people take their lives every day and an estimated 65,000 people make a suicide attempt every year. Suicides affect communities in deep and far-reaching ways: over 50% of Australians know someone who has died by suicide. The profound stigma associated with suicide and mental health greatly discourages people from talking about them and seeking help, even though these are proven ways of improvement. 

3️⃣ How you can get involved: Celebrate R U OK? Day by asking this question to your dear ones, joining dedicated events, or increasing the reach of the campaign:

1. Ask your loved ones: Use this day as an opportunity to ask people in your life, from family to friends and colleagues, if they are OK, especially if you know or have a feeling they might be struggling with life. Use the official campaign tips on how to start the conversation and how to handle an “I am not OK” response. 
2. Participate in events: Check out official resources on how to get involved with the campaign. For example, you can host an R U OK? event or set up a fundraiser in your community or workplace to help spark even more life-changing conversations. 
3. Support the movement: Use your online voice to encourage meaningful talks with the hashtag #RUOKDay. Also, share R U OK?’s Chit Chat Channel to help people realize the power of conversations. In addition, you can donate to the R U OK? Campaign and other organizations fighting to destigmatize mental health and help-seeking.

Below are our favorite charities that are relevant for R U OK? Day:

• Best Charities That Advance Mental Health
• Best Charities That Fight Depression
• Best Charities That Fight Anxiety
• Best Charities That Combat Loneliness
• Impactful Ninja: Mental Health Charities

A Brief History of R U OK? Day

When was this event established: R U OK? Day was founded in 2009 by Gavin Larkin, whose father died from suicide in 1995, to champion one question to honor his father and help protect other families from the pain he endured: ‘Are you OK?’. He created a documentary to raise awareness, but realized that to genuinely change behavior Australia-wide, a national event was needed. So, he established the R U OK? campaign, launched in August 2009 by then Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon. 

How has it developed since then: The inaugural R U OK? Day was supported by the STW Group, Jack Thompson, Hugh Jackman, and Naomi Watts to capture nationwide attention. From 2010 onward, schools made R U OK? Day part of their annual calendar. And, since 2013, R U OK? moved from a one-day-a-year approach to yearlong outreach and education activities by making bus tour visits to towns and cities across Australia. They also chose mottos that best reflect their initiative: “A conversation could change a life” and “Creating a world where we’re all connected and protected from suicide”.

3 Interesting Facts About R U OK? Day

1. The Impact of Conversations: Since its founding, the R U OK? Campaign made the ones involved six times more likely to reach out to someone who experienced personal difficulties. In addition, 60% of Australians said R U OK? made people more connected and 60% believed it has reduced the stigma associated with seeking help. Also, the majority of people receiving an R U OK? conversation felt supported, heard, safe, and more hopeful about their situation.
2. OK at Work: The R U OK? Campaign created a workplace program to encourage businesses to build an R U OK? culture in their workplace. For this, they held 50 “R U OK? at Work” events, where they helped managers and colleagues support each other as they work through personal challenges. They also launched a dedicated program for the road transport, warehousing, and logistics industries, serving the mental health of 3,500 people from 70 businesses.
3. UK’s Supportive Talks: Time to Talk Day is the UK’s biggest campaign for conversation about mental health. Their survey showed that ⅓ of adults nationwide – almost 20 million people – never make space in their day to talk about mental health. Also, 78% said that the cost-of-living crisis impacted their mental health. At the same time, ⅓ said they would welcome tips to help people start a conversation, believing that more understanding around mental health can make it easier to talk about it.

Upcoming Dates of R U OK? Day

R U OK? Day is observed every year on the second Thursday in September.