R U OK?Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
R U OK? states that the campaign was born in 2009 from Gavin Larkin’s work with Janina Nearn and that R U OK?Day is held on the second Thursday in September; the organization gives 9 September for 2027.
About R U OK?Day
R U OK?Day is an Australian national day of action led by R U OK?, a suicide-prevention charity that encourages meaningful connection and conversations with people who may be struggling with life.
R U OK? says the day falls on the second Thursday in September. In 2027 that is September 9. The organization also stresses that its resources are not crisis intervention, expert counselling or a substitute for professional care.
Why R U OK?Day matters
The campaign encourages people to stay connected and to make time for supportive conversations rather than waiting for a single annual date.
A supportive conversation can be valuable, but friends, colleagues and family members should not diagnose someone, pressure them to disclose private information or take on the role of a mental-health professional.
History of R U OK?Day
R U OK? says that in 2009 Gavin Larkin chose to champion the question “Are you OK?” in honour of his father Barry.
While Gavin Larkin was collaborating with Janina Nearn on a documentary, the team concluded that a national campaign was needed, and R U OK? was born.
The organization continues the campaign as an Australian suicide-prevention charity and public-health-promotion organization.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Gavin Larkin, working with Janina Nearn
R U OK? says Gavin Larkin chose to champion the question in 2009 and, while collaborating with Janina Nearn, the national campaign was born.
R U OK?
R U OK? describes itself as the Australian suicide-prevention charity running the campaign and publishes current R U OK?Day guidance.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Are You Okay Day
How to Observe R U OK?Day
Check in with someone privately and respectfully if you have a genuine reason to think they may appreciate support.
Listen without trying to diagnose, interrogate or force a disclosure, and respect the other person’s boundaries.
Use R U OK?’s current conversation guidance if you want a simple framework for asking, listening and following up.
If someone wants professional support, help them find an appropriate qualified service rather than trying to become their counsellor.
If there is immediate danger or an emergency, use the relevant local emergency service; in Australia R U OK? directs people to call 000 when life is in danger.
R U OK?Day Facts
R U OK? traces the campaign’s origin to Gavin Larkin’s work in 2009, with collaboration from Janina Nearn.
R U OK?Day is held on the second Thursday in September.
The 2027 date is September 9.
R U OK? describes itself as an Australian suicide-prevention charity and registered public-health-promotion organization.
The organization says it does not provide crisis intervention or expert counselling and is not a substitute for professional care.
R U OK?Day Messages
If someone needs more support than you can provide, help connect them with appropriate professional services.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Confirm the date again before carrying it into a new year.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
NSW Government — R U OK?Day 10 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Government
R U OK? — FAQ (opens in a new tab)
Official Organizer Reference
R U OK? — Our Story (opens in a new tab)
Official Organizer History
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is R U OK?Day?
Second Thursday in September (10 September 2026; 9 September 2027) The documented recurrence rule is: Second Thursday in September.
Does R U OK?Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is R U OK?Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Australia suicide-prevention conversation and connection campaign. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes R U OK?Day?
The documented basis is: R U OK? states that the campaign was born in 2009 from Gavin Larkin’s work with Janina Nearn and that R U OK?Day is held on the second Thursday in September; the organization gives 9 September for 2027.. Supporting evidence includes R U OK? — Our Story. The site does not infer a separate creator or founder unless reviewed evidence establishes one.
Is R U OK?Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Australia suicide-prevention conversation and connection campaign. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-10-06.
When is R U OK?Day?
R U OK? says it is the second Thursday in September. In 2027, that is September 9.
Who started R U OK?
The organization’s history centers on Gavin Larkin, who in 2009 championed the question in honour of his father while working with Janina Nearn on what became the national campaign.
Is R U OK?Day only about one day?
No. R U OK? emphasizes staying connected and having meaningful conversations throughout the year.
Does R U OK? provide crisis counselling?
No. R U OK? states that it is not equipped to offer crisis intervention or expert counselling and that its website is not a substitute for professional care.
What if someone is in immediate danger?
Use the emergency service for the person’s location. In Australia, R U OK? directs people to call 000 when life is in danger.
Other observances on September 9
These observances are also listed on September 9, 2027.
California Admission Day
California Government Code § 6700 lists September 9 as Admission Day; state education and parks sources connect the date to California’s September 9, 1850 admission as the 31st U.S. state.
Emergency Services Day (999 Day)
The official 999 Day site states that Emergency Services Day is held on 9 September each year and describes it as a national day across the UK.
International Day to Protect Education from Attack
A/RES/74/275
International FASD Awareness Day
FASD United’s 2026 awareness-month material states that September 9 is International FASD Awareness Day each year and frames it around awareness, understanding, support and systems change.
International Sudoku Day
Logic Masters India records the World Puzzle Federation’s announcement of 9/9 as International Sudoku Day; an institute under Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs independently record…
National School Picture Day
Lifetouch states that it declared National School Picture Day in 2019 and set it for the second Thursday in September each year.