Last week on Thursday the 10tth of September, was R U OK? Day, the national reminder to ask the people around us how they’re really going.
We marked it the simple way. Morning tea in the office, the kettle on, and half an hour where nobody was talking about runs, loads or schedules.
It sounds small, and it is. But in this industry the small stuff matters. A lot of our people spend their days alone in a cab. Early starts, long hauls, nights away from home, and sometimes a full shift without a proper conversation with anyone. Transport has one of the tougher mental health records of any industry in the country, and that isolation is a big part of why.
Most people hesitate to ask someone if they’re okay because they’re worried about saying the wrong thing, or about what happens if the answer is “not really.” You don’t need the right words. Ask, listen, and follow up the week after.
A morning tea won’t fix anything on its own. But it’s a nudge to keep asking, well past September.
Any day is the day to ask, R U OK?
If you or someone you know needs support, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.