W & G Lawyers Participates in the John Paul College R U OK? Day Community Event
Recently, W & G Lawyers was pleased to join John Paul College for its R U OK? Day community event.
Yellow posters, small giveaways and simple prompts about how to start a conversation may all seem light-hearted. But behind the event is an important message:
Caring for someone can begin with one very simple question: “Are you OK?”
What is R U OK? Day?
R U OK? is an Australian suicide prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected with family, friends, colleagues and members of the community, and to support those who may be going through a difficult time.
R U OK? Day is its annual national day of action, held on the second Thursday of September each year. In 2026, R U OK? Day falls on 10 September. This year’s message is:
“Ask R U OK? Any Day.”
In other words, we do not need to wait for one particular day. If someone comes to mind, it may be worth reaching out and asking how they are really going.
The movement also has a deeply personal story behind it.
In 1995, Barry Larkin died by suicide. Years later, his son, Gavin Larkin OAM, wanted to do something that might help prevent other families from experiencing the same loss. In 2009, he began with one simple question:
“Are you OK?”
That question has since grown into the R U OK? movement, reaching schools, workplaces, communities and families across Australia.
You Have Asked “Are You OK?” — What Comes Next?
Real care does not end with the question.
R U OK? recommends four simple steps:
- Ask R U OK?
If someone seems different from their usual self, take the initiative and ask, “Are you OK?”
- Listen
You do not need to judge, solve the problem or immediately offer advice. Sometimes, what a person needs most is simply someone willing to listen.
- Encourage action
If they are continuing to struggle, encourage them to seek support from family, friends, a doctor or another appropriate professional service.
- Check in
A few days later, send a message or make a call and ask, “How have you been?” Ongoing care can often mean much more than a single conversation.
You Do Not Need to Wait Until Someone “Looks Unwell”
Stress, family changes, relationship breakdown, work pressures, financial difficulties, illness, study demands or simply prolonged exhaustion can all affect a person’s wellbeing.
And often, none of it is visible from the outside.
Research published by R U OK? in 2026 suggests that many people underestimate the impact of checking in, while the overwhelming majority of people who have genuinely been asked “Are you OK?” say it helped them feel cared for, supported and seen.
We do not need to be mental health professionals to care about someone.
Sometimes, all we need to do is sit down, listen without judgment, and let them know:
“If you want to talk, I’m here.”
R U OK? Should Not Be Limited to One Day
This was also the message we most wanted to share through our participation at John Paul College.
R U OK? Day is an important reminder, but caring for one another should not happen only once a year.
At school, we can check in on the classmate who has suddenly become quieter.
At work, we can notice the colleague who always says, “I’m fine.”
At home, we can put our phones down and genuinely ask our family:
“How are you really going?”
Our professional lives may be busy with many important matters, but community and human connection matter just as much.
We sincerely thank John Paul College for creating an opportunity for the school, families and the wider community to come together and share such a simple but meaningful message.
If someone has come to mind while reading this, perhaps today is a good day to reach out.
Ask R U OK? Any Day.
Because one genuine conversation may change someone’s day — and, sometimes, much more than that.
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