R U OK? launches art competition to promote caring conversation

Have you ever felt worried about a friend but didn’t know how to ask if they were OK?

R U OK? has launched a national art competition to get those conversations started.

The foundation has invited high school students in Years 7 and 8 to create a piece of art that represents what an R U OK? conversation means to them.

Research has shown that having caring conversations with friends and family who are struggling can make a big difference in how they feel. But asking if someone is OK isn’t always easy.

This was something Will McMahon and Woody Whitelaw, aka Will and Woody from KIIS FM, experienced when they were friends at school.

They now hope to inspire other great mates to start meaningful conversations and will be on the competition judging panel.

“It took us years to have a real conversation about what was going on for Will,” said Woody. “I knew he wasn’t OK. I just didn’t know how to ask, I didn’t want to make it worse.”

Woody’s experience is not uncommon. New research from R U OK? found three out of five young people who didn’t ask felt it wasn’t their place to do so, while half were afraid they would make things worse if they did.

But Woody said he was glad he did eventually speak up.

“Since we started talking about what was really going on for Will, we’ve never been closer,” he said. “In turn, he’s been there for me as I navigate the highs and lows of life that we all experience. We hope this competition gets young people talking, people like the younger Will and Woody.”

For his part, Will wants young people to know their support can make a difference.

“During times when I’ve not been OK, Woody’s support has meant I don’t feel alone,” Will said. “Learning how to be a good friend and ask, ‘Are you OK?’ can be a lifesaving skill, and we’re looking forward to seeing the creative ways students represent this in their entries.”

In the competition, students can create an individual artwork under the theme: What does an R U OK? conversation mean to you?  

The foundation has encouraged students to respond to the brief as they interpret it. Artwork could explore when a friend was there for them or when they were there for a friend. Or it could represent how a meaningful conversation makes them feel. An artwork could also encourage others to check in with their mates any day of the year or represent ideas of how they might support someone they care about.

“Art has a unique ability to start conversations and foster understanding,” said R U OK? education and young people manager Dr Hannah Brown. “By engaging students creatively, R U OK? want to get young people thinking about how they can support each other and the many forms of mateship.”

Entries are limited to two per school.

The winners will be invited to the Art Gallery of NSW for a private tour of the Archibald Prize exhibition. The prize includes the cost of flights and one night’s accommodation for the student and their parent or guardian. Art supplies will also be given as prizes.

Visit ruok.org.au for more information on how to enter, submission deadlines and competition terms and conditions as well as how to access free resources for school communities.

POLL

GLOSSARY

• brief: instructions for the task
• Archibald Prize: the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia

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QUICK QUIZ
1. Why do many young people avoid asking if their friends are OK when they seem down?
2. In what way has Woody’s support helped Will?
3. What is the theme of R U OK?’s art competition?
4. What prizes will the winners receive?
5. How many entries will be accepted per school?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Conversation starters
Starting an R U OK? conversation can be more than just using those three words. Think of and write down three different ways that you might begin this conversation. Use words that are reassuring and show the person that you care and want to know how they are really feeling.

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Personal and Social Capability

2. Extension
You are important and cared about by the people around you. Even if they haven’t asked you, they care if you are okay.

Write a letter to someone you trust to tell them about how you have been feeling lately or write down some conversation starters you could use to share how you are. If you need support, be brave by having the conversation or sharing your letter with your trusted person.

Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Personal and Social Capability

VCOP ACTIVITY
Read with Kung Fu punctuation
Pair up with the article between you and stand up to make it easy to demonstrate your Kung Fu punctuation.

Practise reading one sentence at a time. Now read it again, while acting out the punctuation as you read.

Read and act three sentences before swapping with your partner.

Take two turns each.

Now ask your partner to read a sentence out loud while you try and act out the punctuation. Can you keep up? Swap over?

Try acting out two sentences – are you laughing yet?