Flinders University will again be promoting “RUOK? Day”, this year on Thursday, 10 September.

This arises from a national suicide prevention campaign that has the mission of encouraging and equipping all of us to be able to regularly and meaningfully ask ‘are you okay?’.

The key message is that better connection with others offers better protection from depression and suicide.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling is acting as the University’s ambassador for RUOK? Day, and other parts of the University, including the Health Counselling and Disability Services, will be holding events related to mental health awareness and well-being. Staff have also been requested to show a power point show dedicated to the message before their lectures this week.

Lend Lease construction workers engaged on Flinders’ new Plaza and Student Hub will also pause on Thursday to recognise the “Mates in Construction” campaign, which aims to reduce the rate of suicide in the Australian construction industry by encouraging workers to look after one another.