.jpeg)

A message from the heart on R U OK? Day
By Carlye Weiner, Clinical Psychologist
Today is R U OK? Day, a day to check in with ourselves and those around us; a day for having conversations about mental health.
Mental health is a hot topic in 2020. All of us, to some degree, have experienced a change to our mental health, from the good to the bad, to somewhere in between or, even, around in circles and back again.
Heart health can impact on your mental health
As someone with a heart condition, or any other chronic health issue, you are probably commonly on the receiving end of people asking, “R U OK?”. To be honest, it can be difficult to know how to answer.
When asked this question, many of us respond with an ingrained: “I’m OK”. We give this answer without much hesitation. Why? We like others to think and believe that we are OK. Maybe we do this, so they don’t worry. Perhaps we don’t want to burden them, or we don’t believe “a simple conversation” will help to manage our emotions.
Other times it can seem like “R U OK?” is a senseless question: you might have just recently had a diagnosis, a heart event or still be in recovery; the reality is that what you’ve just been through is a telling sign that things are not, or recently have not, been OK.
How you can help on R U OK? Day
However, there is a lot of positive power in asking someone if they are OK. If you know someone living with heart disease or recovering from a heart incident, you can help on R U OK? day and beyond, just by asking the question.
Asking someone “Are you OK?” isn’t always easy. To find help on how to ask the question, go to the R U OK? Day website to learn more about their simple 4-step method to check in with someone:
- Ask R U OK?
- Listen to their response with an open mind
- Encourage action; and
- Check in to see how they are doing
Talking emotions on R U OK? Day and beyond
When someone asks you “R U OK?”, how do you know how to respond? How do you know if you’re really OK, and what’s the best way to tell someone how you’re feeling?
- Listen to the question and take a moment before you respond. This will stop that automatic “Yeah, I’m OK” response, or the “I’m good thanks, how are you?” reply from kicking in. Taking a pause before you answer gives you the time to look inwards to really answer this question for yourself.
- Always be honest! To help you get to know, and express your true feelings, become aware of your own range of emotions. You can do this by writing a list of feelings so you can recognise and build your “emotional vocabulary”. This can be a great reference tool when discussing how you are feeling. Don’t worry if your emotions feel hard to pinpoint: it’s common to experience multiple emotions at the same time.
- Give your answer more depth and detail. The person asking wants an authentic response and discussing genuine feelings and experiences shares the weight of those emotions too. It’s great to practice owning and sitting with your emotions, through regularly checking in with yourself, giving those feelings a label and allowing yourself to respond using healthy coping strategies.
Responding to “R U OK?” is just the start of a conversation that builds connection and can help you feel less alone in your experience.
Getting help on R U OK? Day, or any day
To find out more about R U OK? Day including resources for ensuring a successful conversation, head to the R U OK? Day website.
You can access mental health support on the beyondblue website.
Also, speak with your general practitioner to access a Mental Health Care Plan and referral to a mental health practitioner.
Join a support group like the Heart Foundation’s Supporting Young Hearts Facebook group, a peer support network for those aged 18-45 years living with heart conditions.
For information and support around heart health, call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 13 11 12 during business hours.
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
Time to book a Heart Health Check?
If you're 45 and over, or 30 and over if you're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you should book your Heart Health Check today...
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
Heart Week 2022
With one Australian having a heart attack or stroke every 4 minutes, you have the power to change this statistic. ...
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
Together, we can change the future of heart disease
The power of your ongoing support can help save lives and keep more families together. Help us continue to fund promising heart research projects by donating today. ...
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Health Professional Tools
Guidelines, publications and support for the health professional community....
$8 million for research into Australia's biggest killer - heart disease
$8 million for research into Australia's biggest killer - heart disease
$8 million for research into Australia's biggest killer - heart disease
Media release - 3 June 2021...
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
How a pacemaker at 34 saved my life
Kim shares the emotional and physical upheaval experienced on her journey to diagnosis and recovery....
Future Leader Fellowship
Future Leader Fellowship
Stipend and project support funding for the best and brightest in cardiovascular research. ...
Women and heart disease
Women and heart disease
Women and heart disease
Information and resources for healthcare professionals....
Heart health information in your language
Heart health information in your language
A selection of heart health information brochures in a range languages...
Spinach hummus with Turkish toasts
Spinach hummus with Turkish toasts
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. ...
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in NSW ...
Heart procedures and devices
Heart procedures and devices
Heart procedures and devices
If you have a heart condition, your doctor may recommend different treatments, including procedures or devices. ...
Blood cholesterol
Blood cholesterol
Blood cholesterol
Keeping your blood cholesterol at a healthy level can help you reduce your risk of heart disease and other serious conditions. ...
Advocating for healthy hearts throughout Australia
Advocating for healthy hearts throughout Australia
We're addressing the disparities in heart health so all Australians can live longer, healthier lives....
Lamb recipes
Lamb recipes
Lamb recipes
Find heart healthy lamb recipes....
45 & Up Study
45 & Up Study
The 45 and Up Study is one of the largest ongoing cohort studies of healthy ageing in the world and the largest in Australia. ...
Moroccan spiced fish with couscous and raisin salad
Moroccan spiced fish with couscous and raisin salad
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Quesadillas with avocado and tomato salsa
Quesadillas with avocado and tomato salsa
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
WEBINAR | CVD & COVID-19
Ask the experts: caring for people with CVD during COVID-19...
Nutrition after a heart attack
Nutrition after a heart attack
Nutrition after a heart attack
Discover key information on heart-healthy eating and drinking....
One pan Greek salmon bake
One pan Greek salmon bake
One pan Greek salmon bake
Heart failure clinical resources
Heart failure clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Partner with us to help us fight for Australian hearts....
Tex Mex chicken burgers
Tex Mex chicken burgers
Tex Mex chicken burgers
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) clinical resources
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) clinical resources
Resources and clinical information for health professionals...
The NSW Cardiac Rehabilitation Working Group
The NSW Cardiac Rehabilitation Working Group
A new way to regulate blood and liver fats
A new way to regulate blood and liver fats
Associate Professor Anna Calkin, Institution: Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute...