R U OK? Day Flinders Events Kick Off September 10th


Flinders is celebrating R U OK? Day 2025 with events across multiple campuses from 10–26 September, inviting everyone to start meaningful conversations that could change a life.


R U OK? Day is Thursday 11 September 2025. Flinders will be marking this day with events happening across multiple campuses from the 10th to 26th September.

This year’s message is Ask R U OK? ANY DAY.

R U OK? was founded by the late Gavin Larkin after he lost his father Barry to suicide. He believed that a conversation could change a life and that everyone has a role to play in supporting the people in their world. His legacy is a national movement reminding us that checking in with each other is one of the simplest and most powerful things we can do.

This year, the initiative is encouraging everyone to create space for meaningful conversations, not just on R U OK? Day but any day of the year. A conversation could change a life.

Simple check-ins with the people you care about—family, friends, or peers—help us support mental wellbeing through life’s ups and downs. They build confidence to reach out to others and to ask for support when we need it.

If you’re not sure how to start, try the 4 Steps of an R U OK? Conversation (ALEC):

  1. Ask – Pick the right time and place, and ask “Are you OK?”

  2. Listen – Listen with an open mind, without judgment or interruption.

  3. Encourage action – Suggest helpful next steps or supports.

  4. Check in – Follow up afterwards to show you care.

Sometimes it helps to notice changes in people’s behaviour. If someone seems more stressed than usual, has gone quiet, or has experienced a loss, you could gently open the door with: “You don’t seem yourself lately—want to talk about it?”

Flinders has a long history of promoting R U OK? day. We were even recently nominated for an award!

Join us (and your peers and colleagues) on different campuses and across different days to learn how to have meaningful, life-changing conversations, check in with each other, and enjoy some fun at one of our R U OK? events.

And of course, consider visiting the R U OK? Day website to learn more. Over the years, it has become a comprehensive set of resources for those wanting to learn more about how to support others and for those wanting to celebrate the day in their own communities.

 

Campus Events

Wednesday September 10

Port Pirie Campus Hub – R U OK? Afternoon tea and check-in. tea/coffee, sweet treats, information and conversation.

 

Thursday September 11

City Campus – R U OK? DIY Cookie workshop, R U OK? stall, Good Vibes Experiment activities, BetterU Wellbeing Hub

Bedford Park – Oasis Student Wellbeing Centre market R U OK? Stall and surprises, Unify BBQ and games

Sturt Campus – R U OK? Cookie and Convo pop-up

Tonsley Campus – R U OK? Cookie and Convo pop-up

Mt Gambier – Free Community Event! R U OK? Conversation Convoy BBQ, music, freebies and activities! (Cave Garden/Thugi, Watson Terrace)

 

Wednesday September 17

Bedford Park:

🎶 Live music
🍪 Create your own R U OK? cookies & cupcakes
🐶 Meet Elmo, the Adelaide Airport Assistance Dog
📘 R U OK? info, resources & giveaways
🥁 Feel-good African Soul drum & dance
🧘 Participate in meditation
💬 Engage in conversations with other students & the Oasis wellbeing team
🤝 Connect with mental health service providers & student support services
🎲 Play games & hang out with wellbeing ambassadors
🛋️ Chill with your friends

 

Thursday September 19

Alice Springs Campus – R U OK? Wellbeing Café, Tea/Coffee, Cupcakes and conversation, Gratitude wall and giveaways

 

Tuesday September 23

FMC Library – R U OK? Merchandise, activities and conversation. Student support services including counselling available to connect with as well as Flinders Student Psychiatry Society.

 

Friday September 26

Casuarina campus – R U OK? Day BBQ lunch, cupcakes, tea/coffee, merch and opportunity to connect and check-in with each other.

(More campus R U OK? events to be confirmed!)

 

Remember: R U OK? isn’t just one day in September—it’s a reminder that every day is the right day to check in.

If reading this brings up tough emotions for you, it’s OK to step back. And if you need support, please reach out:

 

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