The 9th September 2021 was R U OK? Day.  R U OK? is a national awareness day that aims to increase the willingness and confidence of all Australians to recognise the signs someone is struggling, start a genuine conversation and lend appropriate support. The theme for 2021 is 'Are you really ok?’

Magdalene Catholic College acknowledges the importance of checking in on family, friends and colleagues every day especially during this unprecedented lockdown by simply asking ‘are you ok.’ Students had the opportunity to listen to a presentation with their Pastoral Classes in the morning. The main message was around having the right conversations with others and how to ask are you ok in a constructive way. We then asked students ‘are you ok’ via a google form and encouraged everyone to check in on 3 friends today.  Students also had the opportunity to contribute to the R U Ok? Padlet (see below) with the challenge to ‘Tell me your ok without telling me.’ Students uploaded songs, pics, GIFs and spread many positive messages for the day.

It is essential that we remember that R U Ok? Day is something that is not an annual awareness day but rather a reminder that we should be checking in with others daily. Checking in, sending a simple text message or smiling to someone who walks by can change that person's day. By starting a conversation and even noticing a change in someone, you could really help that family member, friend or workmate open up and seek the right support.

As Psalm 9:9 reminds us:  “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” As such, on this important day, do find solace in your Lord and those around you in our Magdalene community. 

From all of us at Magdalene Catholic College ‘R U OK?’