On Thursday 11 September, UNSW will celebrate R U OK? Day with a range of events and initiatives.
R U OK? Day is not just about asking 'Are you ok?' It's also about creating a culture of openness, caring, and mutual support. It's about connecting with our colleagues, looking out for each other, and reminding ourselves that it's ok not to be ok sometimes. It's also a great time for us all to remind ourselves, as this year's theme does, that any day can be a day to ask 'Are you ok?'
Staff Special Event - Thursday 11 September - 2pm - 3:30pm
A special all-staff event will be held in the Science Theatre on Thursday 11 September from 2pm.
It will be an opportunity to take a break and connect with colleagues over a delicious afternoon tea.
Our special guest this year will be Graeme Cowan, who will share with us his experience of Building an R U OK?365 Culture.
You will learn how to:
- Support teammates or loved ones in distress through meaningful conversations
- Identify struggling colleagues
- Ask R U OK? with empathy
- Guide colleagues or loved ones to appropriate help
- Build individual resilience using Graeme's 15-point self-care snapshot
- Identify "mood vampires"
- Embed small daily habits that boost mood and performance
There will also be time for Q&A.
All staff are invited to attend the event either in person or via the livestream. Lucky door prizes will be given away on the day - all staff who attend in person will go into the draw!
Schedule
- 2pm: Event commences - Introduction by Professor Vlado Perkovic, UNSW Provost
- 2:05pm: Keynote speech - Graeme Cowan
- 2:45pm: Q&A moderated by Gemma Martin, UNSW Chief People Officer
- 2:55pm: Lucky door prize draw
- 3pm: Afternoon tea
About Graeme Cowan
Graeme helps leaders and teams be safe, resilient and successful. He is a Founding Board Director of R U OK? and hosts The Caring CEO podcast, which is rated #2 globally in "Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts". Graeme held senior positions at Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Kearney. After a severe 5-year depression, he developed new insights into personal and team resilience and performance. Graeme has authored four books, including the acclaimed "Back from the Brink".
Questions
There will be time for questions from the audience on the day. If you have a question you would like to submit in advance, please complete this form.
Registration
Staff are welcome to attend either in-person or virtually via the livestream.
Places are limited and registration is essential.
