During my years behind a microphone, I learnt that silence was something to avoid. In radio, even a few unexpected seconds of silence can make the listener wonder whether something has gone wrong. As a performer, I learnt something different: a carefully placed pause can sometimes communicate more powerfully than words. And now, as a counsellor, I have come to understand a third kind of silence—the silence of a person who has been asked, “Are you OK?” but does not yet feel safe enough to answer. That silence is rarely empty. On R U OK? Day, we encourage people to ask one another a simple and important question. This year, the day falls on Thursday, 10 September 2026. Across Australia, workplaces, schools and community organisations will turn yellow. There will be morning teas, posters, photographs and messages reminding us that a conversation can change a life. All of this matters. According to R U OK?’s 2026 Impact Tracker, nine out of ten people who were asked if they were ...
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