Every year, R U OK? Day is a reminder to check in on your colleagues and loved ones. This year, more than ever, it is important to have those conversations with those around you. COVID-19 poses a fresh challenge, not only to our physical health, but our mental wellbeing as well.
By having conversations about how we are feeling, we can maintain connections and stay close to one another, in a time where we may be physically apart. Although R U OK? Day comes around once a year – on 10 September – it is important to keep having these conversations throughout the year. Checking in on your colleagues, friends and family is not only a way of remaining connected, but also a way of maintaining your own mental wellbeing.
Whether it be a small touch or a vibrant shirt, we encourage everyone to wear yellow to promote awareness of R U OK? Day and its key messages. This year, we encourage you to take photos of your yellow getup and send them in for your team to go in the running to win a virtual relaxation session with Rebecca Max. Rebecca teaches meditation and is a Mental Health First Aid trainer.
Rebecca says, “It can be challenging to access your inner stillness during times of uncertainty and change. Come along to relax and unwind through meditation whilst learning practical tools and techniques to help you stay focused and calm throughout the day.”
What you need to do:
- Wear some yellow and get creative! It can be on 10 September or any time that week.
- Take a photo in your yellow gear (while adhering to social distancing and PPE guidelines) and tell us how you have supported each other during COVID-19
- Send in your photo and story, with the subject line ‘RUOK Day Competition’, to Gaynor.henderson@monashhealth.org by 5pm Monday 14 September
- Wait to hear if you’re our lucky winners!
Our teams are working hard across the entire organisation and this can be a great opportunity to have some fun and go in the running to win a relaxing prize.
This year, we will be bringing you a panel of experts to give some advice on how to stay connected while we are physically apart. They will speak on topics such as engaging with children, checking in with yourself and your loved ones, and how leaders can start the conversations with their team members. We will be introducing you to our panellists in the lead up to R U OK? Day. They will be joined by CEO Andrew Stripp and Chief Medical Officer, Anjali Dhulia.
Remember to tune in at 2pm on Thursday 10 September!
Approved by Karen Lowe