RU OK? Day takes place this year on Thursday 12th September and encourages hospitality staff, managers and owners to check in with each other any time of the day, not just once a year.
“We see an increase in acts of support around RU OK? Day, our national day of action,” said RU OK? CEO Katherine Newton.
“But we know that life happens every day and our message to everyone living in Australia is don’t wait, ask RU OK? anytime, because a meaningful conversation can change a life.”
RU OK? Day is a national day of action encouraging friends, family, colleagues, partners and teammates to check in with each other’s mental health.
This organization: Platform Aimed specifically at hospitality workers, we highlight the importance of supporting colleagues in times of need and share resources that offer tips for having meaningful conversations.
“RU OK? works with the hospitality industry to find better ways to help the industry deal with the pressures that come with an exciting, yet demanding, workplace,” says Julie-Anne Whitfield, Workplace Engagement Manager at RU OK?.
This day comes at a particularly emotional time for the hospitality industry. Recently, a large hospitality industry group Under attack Failing to support employees in reporting sexual assault.
Chefs in the industry are also experiencing serious mental health issues. the study It has been shown that people in this profession are significantly more likely to commit suicide than the general population, and the current economic difficulties are putting pressure on the mental health of owners, operators and staff.
In July this year, the NSW Government recognised the mental health issues in the hospitality industry, making a one-off donation of $250,000 to support the Raising the Bar Foundation in designing and delivering Project Barstools, a bespoke mental health training package aimed at supporting NSW hospitality and tourism employees.
“It is estimated that more than two in five Australians aged 16 and over (44 per cent) have experienced mental illness at some point in their lives,” Minister for the Illawarra and South Coast Ryan Park said.
“This highlights the need for the NSW Government and industry leaders to work together to ensure people’s mental wellbeing is protected and they feel safe seeking help when they are in trouble.”
“Equipping people in the hospitality and tourism industries with the skills they need to identify mental health and wellbeing issues will benefit not only their colleagues but their customers as well,” Wollongong MP Paul Scully said.
From ruok.org.au We’ll give you free tips and tools to help you build your RU OK? culture all year round.
Lifeline offers free and confidential crisis support any time of the day or night: call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online at lifeline.org.au.
13YARN is a free 24/7 service providing crisis support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Call 13YARN on 13 92 76.
