A simple conversation can save a life. RUOK? Day is an annual Signature Event hosted on Ohio State’s campus. This campus-wide outreach initiative is put on by the student organization Buckeye Campaign Against Suicide (BCAS) in coordination with OSUSPP to increase awareness among the OSU community about suicide, reduce mental health stigma, and connect the campus community with the many resources on and around campus.
Each March, students and OSU advisors from the Buckeye Campaign Against Suicide organize RUOK? Day as a way to encourage Ohio State students, faculty and staff to think about the people in their lives who may struggle with personal difficulties and take action – simply by starting a conversation. We want everyone at OSU to understand that it’s okay not to be okay and feel confident connecting with the many wonderful resources on and around campus. Furthermore, we want our Buckeye community to feel comfortable asking each other, “Are you okay?” in the spirit of an overall campus culture of care. Starting that conversation with the right skills and knowledge just might save a life.
At the event you can expect to see the room divided into 5 sections – R-U-O-K-?
- R is for Resources in the community
- U is University offices and resources
- O is Student Organizations
- K is Knowledge
- ? is Asking Difficult Questions
Each of these sections is designed with the intention of increasing awareness, breaking down stigma, and providing our Buckeye community with the skills and knowledge needed to take care of one another when it comes to suicide prevention. And yes, there will also be free food and merch!!
