It doesn’t hurt to ask RUOK. But can you do more?

Asking RUOK is a great way to check in on the people close to you. But what else could you be doing?

Some acronyms save lives. There’s DRSABC for CPR, FAST and STOP for early diagnosis of stroke and heart attack, and of course, the ubiquitous RUOK - the slogan that encourages people to reach and ask Are You OK.

It’s become a catch-cry of better mental health and could even lay claim to an untold number of saved lives.

But in these particularly taxing times, is only asking people close to you if they’re ok enough? There’s plenty of complexity in our current situation that might need a more complex solution.

Here’s a few tips to help you dig a little deeper and uncover some hope, brightness and potentially some better mental health for yourself and those around you.

Some people who are lucky enough to work from home are pushing past their usual finish time, thanks in part to that pesky hour-long commute disappearing.

But the associated anxiety and stress that this can cause might be something you could mitigate with some simple social contact.

Make an appointment with them for zoom drinks after work or lend them a dog to walk. You might even like to make a double date with their yoga mat (and you with yours) or book them for lunch to make sure they’re taking their breaks.

Exercise and moving around regularly helps maintain physical and mental health – try to be encouraging as possible. 

Your friends might have health concerns or could be worried about their children or the future of their job. It helps to know if they specific sources of stress so you can either reassure them where appropriate or recommend support.

Working from home can be very isolating and it may be that people are not feeling like they are connecting with friends and workmates enough. Catching up a few times a week might help with this.

Normalise the idea that talking to someone is healthy and appropriate and help them seek this support if they feel like they need to. There are plenty of reasons people may be feeling overwhelmed right now. You might be able to assist your friend by suggesting they talk to someone at Benestar or their GP.

While we’re all extremely thankful for the many, many digital tools at our disposal during this extraordinary time, there’s really no replacement for genuine human connections.

We’re committed to keeping you connected in as many safe ways as possible. That’s why we’ve drafted this handy letter template for you to download, print out and deliver to a neighbour in need. 

Download our letter template or explore Optus Sport Fitness if you’re looking for a convenient way to stay in shape.