Tips for Having the Chat on R U OK? Day
R U OK? Day challenges us to have conversations we might not ordinarily have. At iyarn, we provide the tools for these check ins to become regular, enjoyable and sustainable.
Tips for R U OK? Chats
We suggest the following tips to asking R U OK?
Having the Chat
- Pick the right place – somewhere quiet and away from other people.
- Try to remove any distractions before you start.
- Don’t push it – if they say they don’t want to talk, let them know you’re there if they change their mind.
Starting the Conversation
- ‘Hey, how have you been lately? What’s been happening?’
- ‘You haven’t seemed like yourself lately. Is there something you’d like to talk about?’
- ‘How are you doing? Anything you want to chat about?’
How to Respond
- Be a good listener by paying attention, asking questions and checking you’ve understood what they’ve said.
- Don’t try to solve the problem for them.
- Ask them why they might be feeling that way.
- Let them know you’re there for them.
- Don’t judge what they say, even if you don’t agree with them.
If They Say They’re Not OK
- Ask them what’s going on for them.
- Ask what they think will help them to feel better.
- If you like they need more support you could ask if they’ve considered talking to someone they trust or seeing a mental health professional.
- If you’re worried about their safety, let someone know.
Create the 3rd space with iyarn app
- Completing an iyarn check in to facilitate an RUOK conversation
- Answering a standard list of questions via iyarn can assist with sharing how you are going without knowing how to articulate
- Use the wheel visualisation to build connection and unpack areas that are high and areas that are low
Making Check Ins a Regular Part of Your Life
Checking in regularly can help you immensely in your personal and professional life. Check out one of our other deeper articles on how you can make checking in a habit!
Social connections: how it’ll change your life for good!
How, when and why to check in on your friends
