This year, the R U OK? Round will be held on the 14th and 15th of September, coinciding with R U OK? Day on Thursday, 14th September 2023.
Since 2018, TJT has been dubbing a whole round of fixtures R U OK? Round, demonstrating our commitment to promoting mental health awareness among young athletes and the wider community. By dedicating a round of fixtures to this cause, TJT aims to foster a supportive environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their mental health and reaching out to others.
While R U OK? Day and R U OK? Round only happen once a year, TJT and R U OK? remind everyone that every day is R U OK? Day, and that asking "Are you okay?" can be done every day of the year!
Wear Yellow to Show Your Support
One of the most visible ways TJT encourages players, coaches, and supporters to get involved is by wearing something yellow during the "R U OK? Round." Yellow is the official colour of R U OK? Day and represents a beacon of hope and connection. By adorning themselves in this bright colour, participants symbolise their commitment to raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help.
Encouraging everyone to don yellow attire helps spread a powerful message: that mental health matters and that nobody should struggle in silence. It reminds us all that a simple question, "R U OK?", can be the starting point for a life-changing conversation.
All players, officials, and supporters are encouraged to wear something yellow this week - shoes (or shoelaces), socks, shorts, hats, bandannas, or anything else you can think of!
There are only two rules (for players):
- When playing, players must still wear their official club playing shirt/singlet (but are encouraged to wear yellow shorts)
- Any other items worn on the field must be safe to wear while playing - i.e. bracelets, loose wrist bands, etc. will not be permitted for safety reasons.
R U OK? Day - A National Initiative
R U OK? Day is a nationally recognised initiative in Australia that aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation that could change a life. It encourages individuals to ask their friends, family members, colleagues, and teammates a simple but profoundly important question: "Are you okay?"
The mission of R U OK? Day is to remind people that they can make a difference by genuinely reaching out to others, showing empathy, and offering support. It's a day when communities, schools, workplaces, and sports organisations like TJT come together to create a more connected and mentally healthy society.
Resources and Support
R U OK? provides a wealth of resources on their official website (https://www.ruok.org.au/) for anyone seeking guidance on how to start conversations about mental health, what to say, and how to respond. They offer a range of practical tools and information that can help individuals become more comfortable with discussing sensitive topics related to mental well-being.
This year, let's join Townsville Junior Touch Football in their "R U OK? Round" and show our support for mental health awareness. Wear yellow, start a conversation, and be part of the movement to create a world where everyone feels connected, valued, and supported.
Remember, asking "R U OK?" could be the first step in making a positive difference in someone's life. Together, we can promote mental health and help those in need.