More than 1,200 Rapid Relief Team signature burgers were served at RUOK events around the country where Australians took the time to check in on each other and make sure their mates were fighting fit.

Events were held in conjunction with Indigenous schools, frontline emergency workers and local councils in WA, Queensland, Victoria and NSW:

  • Dalwallinu District High School – held a NAIDOC and RUOK Day together.
  • Fortem Australia, Beenleigh – first responders attended in the wake of a recent police suicide.
  • Fortem Australia, Sunshine Coast University Hospital – first responders attended.
  • WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), Cockburn.
  • Wollondilly Shire Council hosted an event in Picton, Sydney.
  • CBD workers in Melbourne were invited to ask each other if they were ok.

RRT Director Mick Dunn said RUOK Day’s 2023 message of “being here to really hear” was an important signal for people to reach out to family, friends and others in their lives to check in on them.

“RUOK Day reminds us that we don’t need to be an expert to reach out and ask someone if they are OK,” Mr Dunn said.

“The lesson that we should all take away from RUOK Day is that we need to genuinely listen to the people we care about who might be struggling, helping them to open up and find strategies or appropriate support to better manage life’s ups and downs.

“We all have what it takes to ask, listen and support one another.

“That’s why RRT has loaded up on our signature burgers and helped out at events around Australia, including here at Picton, to show that we want to help make sure people are connected in a meaningful way.

“Of course, one of the best ways to stay in touch is to share a meal with someone, and that’s why RRT is so happy to be able to provide our signature burgers to support RUOK events.”

RRT is the charitable arm of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. Established in 2013, RRT has more than 14,500 volunteers around the world.

RUOK is a health promotion charity that contributes to suicide prevention by encouraging people to use their personal relationships and support networks to support family, friends and colleagues.

It encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.

For more information, visit www.ruok.org.au