Last month we celebrated RUOK? Day, a day to remind us of the importance of meaningfully connecting and checking in with our friends, family, and colleagues to make sure they really are ok.
Leading up to the day, teams were asked to share photos and/or a short story to show how they were supporting one another and facilitating vital conversations about mental health and wellbeing
We are pleased to announce the competition winners below, who will receive a free meditation session for their team.
Winner 1 – Monash Health Libraries
Submitted by Saara Kahkonen, Library Cadet, the Monash Health libraries team set up bright and cheery interactive displays to celebrate RUOK? Day. These displays highlighted the health and wellbeing resources available in the library collection as well as invited employees to share their own techniques and strategies for making mental health a priority.
The questions they asked employees can be used as conversation prompts for your team every day:
- How do you stay connected to the people you care about?
- What made you smile today?
- What is something kind you can do for yourself this week?
- Who can you talk to about anything?
Winner 2 – Dandenong CATT Team
Submitted by Tammy Peterson, Senior Social Worker, the Dandenong CATT Team created a collaborative RUOK? Day board to share positive comments about each member of the team.
“We made a board with all our clinicians, casual staff, administration team, consultant psychiatrists, registrars and our manager and placed all our names on stars.
“On each star, we said three positive things about each member. We used the starboard like the Hollywood walk of fame as each individual on our board has been a star.”
The team also played a game where team members were asked questions to help acknowledge what they do well and how they support each other during these challenging times.
Honourable mention – Southern Dual Diagnosis Service
Submitted by Alitia Vink, Senior Dual Diagnosis Clinician, she shared how the Southern Dual Diagnosis Service team celebrated RUOK? Day and the importance of acknowledging and supporting team members when they are not okay.
“Southern Dual Diagnosis Service, part of Monash Health Drug and Alcohol Service, asked each other RU really OK?. We hosted a BYO lunch and really listened to each other’s thoughts and feelings about the day and the current reality we are living.
“We noted that some of us are OK, and others are not and that is OK too. We cannot be ‘on’ all the time and it’s important to honour our feelings and each other.”
We would like to thank all the teams that submitted entries into the competition. Your ongoing commitment to making health and wellbeing a priority for your team members is invaluable and makes a real difference.
It is important to remember that as team members, we all have a responsibility to create a culture where people feel confident asking and answering the simple but powerful question of ‘are you okay?’ not just on RUOK? Day, but every day.
For more information and resources to help you to ask the question and start important conversations that could change a life, visit the RUOK? website.
If you or someone you are concerned about needs someone to talk to or support, there are several external services and resources available to you. Additionally, on the Monash Health COVID-19 employee website, you have access to a range of health and wellbeing resources.
Approved by Karen Lowe.