Tradie resources available ahead of Thursday's R U OK?Day
R U OK?Day is on Thursday, 11 September, with this year’s message is ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day’. The campaign has highlighted the importance of R U OK? conversations in construction, with dedicated R U OK? tradie resources available.
R U OK? research
According to 2025 research conducted by Verian for R U OK?, while three in four Australians believe regularly asking someone if they’re OK is important, a third might hesitate — even when they sense someone might be struggling.
This hesitation, R U OK? said, often stems from concerns they might say the wrong thing, invade someone’s privacy, or not know how to help. Yet, the data suggestions that 88% of people surveyed feel grateful and supported when someone asks if they are OK.
“These conversations matter and they’re often more welcome than we think,” said psychologist, suicidologist and R U OK? board member Annie Fardell Hartley. “People don’t expect you to have all the answers or the perfect words. They value trust, genuine care, and someone who really listens.”
Importance to construction and dedicated tradie resources
As part of this year’s campaign, citing suicide prevention and mental health program MATES in Construction, R U OK? said that the importance of reaching out to those in the construction industry has never been clearer — given that suicide continues to be a leading cause of death among Australian construction workers — and pointed to the availability of its tradie resources.
Designed to help tradies build confidence and skills, the resources include the four steps of an R U OK? conversation, or ‘ALEC’, which stands for Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, Check In.
“On site, we’re trained to spot physical hazards, but psychological hazards are there also, and they aren’t always easy to see,” said Alistair Schuback, an R U OK? Community Ambassador and Safety Culture Specialist at Psychological Safety Training.
“I’ve seen how easy it is to miss the signs that someone’s not OK. A quick conversation can be the difference between someone struggling in silence and someone getting the support they need. Ask R U OK? Any Day; it’s worth it.”
Schuback added: “That’s why the R U OK? tradies’ resources are so valuable. They give us the tools to check in with our mates — whether it’s on the job, in the ute, or on crib break.”
Why these conversations matter
Research published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems in 2019 has shown that those who engage with R U OK? are six times more likely to ask someone what’s troubling them, listen with empathy and encourage them to seek support. They are also more likely to check in regularly with the people they care about.
If you are affected by any of the issues discussed in this story, help is available.
Lifeline offers free and confidential crisis support, available 24/7. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online at lifeline.org.au.
MensLine Australia offers a free 24/7 telephone and online support for men with emotional health and relationship concerns. Call 1300 78 99 78 or visit mensline.org.au.
13YARN offers a free, 24/7 crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Call 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au.
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