R U OK? Day is held on the second Thursday in September each year. It encourages Australians to check in with people around them, notice signs that someone may be struggling, and start supportive conversations about wellbeing and connection.
R U OK? Day is held on the second Thursday in September each year. R U OK? Day 2026 is Thursday 10 September 2026.
R U OK? Day encourages people to have regular, meaningful conversations with family, friends, workmates, classmates and people in their community who may be struggling.
No. R U OK? Day is not a public holiday in Australia. It is an awareness event recognised by workplaces, schools, universities, clubs and community organisations.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24/7 crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. This page is general calendar information and is not a substitute for crisis support, medical care or professional mental health advice.
R U OK? Day is held on the second Thursday in September each year. These dates are useful for school calendars, workplace wellbeing programs, community events and social media planning.
| Year | R U OK? Day date | Day of week | Public holiday? | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 September 2026 | Thursday | No | Second Thursday in September. Good timing for school and workplace wellbeing activities. |
| 2027 | 9 September 2027 | Thursday | No | Plan workplace communications, team check-ins and school activities early. |
| 2028 | 14 September 2028 | Thursday | No | Later September date because 1 September falls on a Friday. |
| 2029 | 13 September 2029 | Thursday | No | Useful for mid-September workplace and community awareness planning. |
| 2030 | 12 September 2030 | Thursday | No | Can be linked with broader Mental Health Month planning in October. |
| 2031 | 11 September 2031 | Thursday | No | Second Thursday in September; update campaigns and resources closer to the date. |
Simple answer: R U OK? Day is always the second Thursday in September. It is not a public holiday.
R U OK? Day is about connection, early support and meaningful conversation. It encourages Australians to notice when someone may not be themselves and to ask, listen, encourage action and check in again.
Start with a simple, genuine question. Choose a private, appropriate moment and be prepared to listen.
Let the person talk without rushing to solve the problem. Listening well matters more than having perfect words.
Support the person to connect with trusted people, workplace supports, school supports, a GP or crisis services if needed.
One conversation is not always enough. Following up later can help someone feel remembered and supported.
R U OK? Day is not about replacing professional care. Serious concerns need appropriate support and safety steps.
The message works best when checking in is part of normal life, not only a once-a-year event.
R U OK? Day should be handled carefully. It can be a useful prompt, but it should not be treated as a one-day fix for mental health, loneliness, bullying, burnout or crisis risk.
Planning tip: The strongest R U OK? Day activities combine awareness with practical supports: trained leaders, clear referral pathways, safe communication and follow-up after the day.
Asking someone if they are OK can be helpful, but it needs care. Choose the right setting, listen properly, avoid judgement and know where to get help if the person is not safe.
Ask privately, calmly and without rushing. Do not force the conversation in front of others.
Simple words often work best: “I’ve noticed you seem different lately. Are you OK?”
Avoid saying “you’ll be fine” or “others have it worse”. Let the person’s experience be heard.
If you are worried someone may harm themselves or someone else, do not leave them alone. Get urgent help.
Suggest talking to a trusted person, GP, counsellor, school wellbeing team, EAP or crisis service.
Checking in again shows the person they matter beyond the first conversation.
If there is immediate danger, call 000. For crisis support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For young people, Kids Helpline is 1800 55 1800. Organisations should include current support contacts in their R U OK? Day communications.
R U OK? Day is widely recognised in Australian workplaces, schools, universities, sporting clubs and community organisations. It is useful for awareness, but it should sit inside a broader wellbeing and safety approach.
| Setting | Useful approach | What to avoid | Follow-up action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workplaces | Promote safe conversations, manager training and support pathways | Making the day a once-a-year poster campaign with no real support | Review workloads, culture, EAP access and manager capability |
| Schools | Teach help-seeking, friendship, wellbeing and trusted adult support | Pressuring students to disclose personal distress in public | Make wellbeing staff, counsellors and support options visible |
| Universities | Support students facing isolation, stress, study pressure or transition issues | Assuming a single event reaches students who need help most | Promote counselling, peer support and crisis contacts throughout the year |
| Sporting clubs | Encourage coaches, captains and volunteers to notice changes and check in | Using throwaway slogans without safe referral pathways | Build wellbeing and inclusion into club culture |
| Community groups | Create connection opportunities and promote local services | Expecting volunteers to manage crisis situations alone | Know where to refer people for urgent and professional support |
This site mainly covers public holidays, but R U OK? Day belongs in the events and observances calendar because Australians search for its date, meaning, workplace guidance and school planning ideas.
Second Thursday in September. Focuses on connection, conversation and supporting people who may be struggling.
Usually recognised in October, with broader mental health awareness, education and advocacy activities.
November awareness campaign often linked to men’s health, mental health and suicide prevention.
| Event or holiday | Fixed or changing date? | Public holiday in Australia? | Why people search it |
|---|---|---|---|
| R U OK? Day | Second Thursday in September | No, not a public holiday | Date, meaning, workplace activities, school activities and mental health conversation guidance. |
| Father’s Day | First Sunday in September | No, not a public holiday | Family planning, gifts, dates and events. |
| AFL Grand Final Friday | Friday before the AFL Grand Final | Yes, Victoria only | Victorian public holiday date and long weekend planning. |
| Labour Day / King’s Birthday | Varies by state | Public holiday in some states at different times | State holiday dates, entitlement questions and long weekends. |
Site structure recommendation: Keep this page as a top-level event page at /ru-ok-day/. Do not make it a child page of public holidays, because R U OK? Day is not a public holiday. Link it from the /events/ hub and related mental health event pages.
Use these pages to plan around Australian events, observances, public holidays and long weekends.
R U OK? Day is held on the second Thursday in September each year.
R U OK? Day 2026 is Thursday 10 September 2026.
No. R U OK? Day is not a public holiday in Australia.
R U OK? Day encourages Australians to check in with others and start conversations that may help people feel supported.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For crisis support in Australia, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or another appropriate crisis service.
The commonly promoted conversation approach is to ask, listen, encourage action and check in.
Workplaces should use R U OK? Day to promote safe conversations, support pathways, manager capability, EAP information and year-round wellbeing action.
Schools should use age-appropriate wellbeing activities, help-seeking education and clear support pathways, while avoiding pressure on students to disclose personal issues publicly.
No. R U OK? Day is a useful awareness prompt, but it is not a replacement for professional mental health care, crisis support, safe systems or ongoing support.
No. R U OK? Day should be a top-level event page at /ru-ok-day/ because it has direct search demand and is not a child of a public holiday. It should be linked from the /events/ hub.