Nov 05 2009
Do you know someone who may be struggling? – spread the news about RUOK?Arvo
The single largest pool of untapped resource in this world is human good intentions that never translate into action. –Cindy Gallop
For some time now, I have been helping to organise RUOK?Day and RUOK?Arvo. I believe these two events could make a big difference in how people who are struggling with adversity are treated in the workplace and the community. Below is an outline of RUOK?Day and RUOK?Arvo and at the bottom is brief 100 word summary that could be used to describe RUOK?Arvo in a newsletter. If you have any suggestions about helping us to be successful in our quest please respond to the blog below.
RUOK?Day and RUOK?Arvo
Chances are that you know someone who is going through divorce, has lost a loved one, has a serious illness, is facing financial hardship, been retrenched, or having trouble with their children. For some people these crises can cause anxiety and a flat mood. For some it can progress into full blown clinical depression or an anxiety disorder.
Most of us would like to help, but we often opt out because we don’t know how to start the discussion, or are a little fearful that we could open a “can of worms”. The government recently announced that Medicare rebates for psychological counselling have increased 54% for 2009 over 2008. This is a problem that won’t go away unless we all take action.
This was the reason that RUOK?Day was created. We believe that a conversation can change a life and invite you to participate on Sunday Nov 29th, 2009. Expert advice and videos can be found at www.RUOKDay.com.au
Action you could take
1. Visit www.RUOKDay.com.au and review resources.
2. Put Sunday Nov 29 in your diary and promise to make contact with one person you think could be struggling.
IF YOU WORK CONSIDER THIS
A 2007 Medicare Private study showed that by far the largest contributor to lost productivity in the Australian economy was caused by depression and anxiety. Since 2007, Davidson Trahaire, by far Australia’s largest workplace counselling group, has seen client sessions for stress and anxiety increase 76% and 68% respectively.
This is why www.RUOKArvo.com.au has been created on Friday November 27 – the Friday afternoon before RUOK?Day. On this afternoon participating companies will invite all employees to reach out to one person – either a loved one or a work colleague – and ask RUOK?
At www.RUOKArvo.com.au you will find:
1. Simple instructions on how your team or company can register and participate in RUOK?Arvo
2. A downloadable “How to ask RUOK? and support guide” and related video – for those concerned – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koEjNP6H-sg
3. A downloadable “I’m not OK and support guide” and related video – for those struggling
4. A downloadable “Team Leaders Meeting Guide” and related video plus RUOK?Arvo Poster – on how to present RUOK?Arvo and engage the team
The organisations below have between 30 and 25,000 employees and have decided that these issues are so universal, that they will invite all their employees to ask RUOK? on Friday November 27.
FOUNDING SUPPORTERS OF RUOK?ARVO
Alexion, APN Media, AT Kearney, Australian Human Resources Institute, Black Dog Institute, CareerOne, Cbus Super, Cochlear, Davidson Trahaire Corpsych, DLA Phillips Fox, Freehills, Inspire Foundation, Investment and Financial Services Association, Lifeline, Lundbeck, Mental Health Association of NSW, News Limited, Ramsay Healthcare, Reach Out, SANE Australia, Sex Discrimination Commission, Simon & Schuster, STW Group, Talent2, The Next Step, Toll Holdings, University of Western Sydney, Zurich Financial Services
Action you could take:
1. Discuss RUOK?Arvo with 2 work colleagues and your team leader. If you decide you would like to participate as a team why not register at: www.ruokarvo.com.au
Turn your good intentions into action by asking RUOK? - nothing changes until someone acts.
100 word summary
Do you know someone who is struggling?
RUOK?Arvo - a conversation could change a life
November 27, 2009
Do you know someone who is struggling with depression or anxiety but don’t know how to open a conversation with them. Organisations with between 20 and 25000 employees have already agreed to invite everyone to ask RUOK? to a loved one or work colleague on November 27. For a 3 minute video on how to ask RUOK? see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koEjNP6H-sg
To register and find full resources and support to help you start a conversation that could change a life, please go to www.ruokarvo.com.au
As I mentioned before, please let me know if you have any feedback or suggestions by responding to the blog below.
Kind Regards
Graeme
