Friday, 16 September 2011

RU OK Day

This is a good idea from Australia - a day on which you contact people you've been a bit concerned about and ask if they're OK.    It's mainly about mental health, I think, but I've taken it as a reminder to call people who are frail or sick or having a tough time.    Maybe I'll have my own RUOK day every month!



(A. is just checking we're all okay - he needs to wear a waste-basket on his head to do it, of course.) 

25 comments:

  1. Hello Jenny:
    This is such a splendid idea and one of which we had not previously heard. A simple telephone call, an email or even a text are all very easy ways of telling someone that you are thinking of them.

    Have a happy and restful weekend.

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  2. Every day even. Loved the photo of A ensuring that we are all OK.

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  3. What a delightful idea. Had never heard of this before. I will adopt the idea.

    Great photo of A. Very cute.

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  4. I like this idea too. I keep meaning to write down the list I keep going through in my head of people I've no heard from in a while, and then tick them off when I do make contact.

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  5. Great idea - and absolutely he needs to wear the basket. Stands to reason!

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  6. Excellent idea. Makes me think straightaway of people I haven't contacted in a while. I should check everything's going okay with them.

    And there's someone we should inquire about, the little guy with waste-basket issues. But how come the basket hasn't slipped down over his face?

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  7. Jenny, this is so fantastic that you are taking RU OK? Day to the rest of the world!! Yep it was started to focus on mental health and suicide prevention but I think it's even better if it just encourages everyone to get in touch with people they haven't heard from for a while, too. Good on you!

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  8. A splendid idea! I'm thinking of adopting it too! :)

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  9. I rather like that idea : somehow it seems so much fresher and more meaningful than the annual Christmas card gavotte.

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  10. That is such a fantastic idea for a special day! I love it!! I have a couple people I write to that don't have anyone else who contacts them. We shouldn't forget each other or let people slip away unnoticed. The Aussies came up with a great idea!! :):)

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  11. That is a wonderful idea! Love the photo.

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  12. A wonderful idea and since I have unlimited calling to all 50 states I may just give it a try.

    Love the pic. It is so cute!

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  13. Love the helper you have today.
    I have several friend that I send "real" mail to and I do pick up the phone. Maybe I will call more.

    cheers, parsnip

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  14. Good post! And the shot is interesting.
    Have a good weekend!

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  15. A future bird watcher for sure with such an imaginitive disguise.

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  16. Lovely idea Jenny. But I think that I will have to call too many people! Life can be tough...

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  17. Yes, I'm ok and thanks for asking.

    I tried to comment on your travel writing post but it wouldn't work. I'll see if this does.

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  18. Of course!

    Waste baskets all the way!

    Leontien

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  19. Hi, Jenny. Thanks for visiting my blog. I appreciate it, dear lady, and am returning the favor. As everyone else agrees, this RUOK idea is a terrific one. You never know when a simple call could be the bright spot in someone else's day.

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  20. Oh, I'm terrible at calling people. I have almost a phone phobia.
    A. has the perfect uniform for getting to the heart of any matter...or to the heart of anyone, for that matter.

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  21. shouldn't it be "how're you goin" day? but i guess that's less pithy.

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  22. They have a great focus on mental health without applying negative connotations to it. Australians often take mental health days off work, in fact, if you appear to be taking strain or providing strain for your co-workers, you might be encouraged to take a day or so off to pull yourself together again. I'm not sure about their leave arrangements or if it falls within the remit of sick days but I think it is a fantastic idea.

    I'm doing fine! After taking two days off work this week for flu, I finally feel like I am healthy again.

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  23. That IS a great idea! It's too easy to overlook such a simple gesture when one is too caught up with everyday living.

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  24. What a cute photo! I think that the basket on the head is an essential element of safety :) I wear it when no one's around :P

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  25. once upon a time we didn't need to be reminded ... the extended village?

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