R U OK? Day supported by 90 per cent of LINX Cargo Care Group’s workforce across 35 sites
R U OK? Day, when Australians are urged to reach out to their family, friends, acquaintances and work colleagues to check on how they are coping in life, has attracted record support from within the LINX Cargo Care Group.
This year’s RU OK? Day was held on September 12 with more than 90 per cent of the employees at LINX Cargo Care Group sites around Australia participating in the day.
The idea of the day was designed to get conversations started with those around us who may be struggling, and to simply ask the question, “Are you okay?”
The R U OK? organisation believes “a conversation could change a life” and has set out to “inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life”.
You don’t need to be an expert to reach out – just a good friend and a great listener,” the organisation says.
This year the focus is to encourage everyone to ‘Trust the Signs, Trust your Gut and ask R U OK?’
More than 3000 Australians commit suicide each year which is about eight people a day. For every death by suicide, it is estimated that as many as 30 people attempt to end their life. That is approximately 65,300 suicide attempts each year.
Causes of depression can vary from person to person. For some, stressful life events such as the loss of a relationship or job, long-term unemployment, physical health issues, family problems or the death of a loved one might trigger depression. For others, there is no obvious cause.
R U OK? is one of the charities the group has chosen to support through its LINX CCG Foundation because it is especially relevant to the transport industry.
Activities organised across the LINX Cargo Care Group throughout Australia included BBQs, outdoor activities, ‘Toolbox Talks’ throughout the day dedicated to the importance of R U OK?, as well as inspiring anecdotal stories shared by those who have experienced depression.
Employees are encouraged to engage in communication and talk to each other.
There is a workplace guide that includes: How do I know if someone needs support, simple steps to talk to a staff member who is not OK, how to manage emotional reactions in a conversation and useful contacts for a staff member who is not OK.
The company says that employees are encouraged to take up R U OK? philosophy every day.
“While R U OK? Day is a great national initiative to ask colleagues ‘are you ok?’, this can be carried out not just today but every day and can make a real difference to staff and colleagues who are going through a tough time,” LINX Cargo Care Group CEO Anthony Jones said.
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