R U OK? Day 2025

In 2025, UNSW will celebrate R U OK? Day with an event for all staff in the Science Theatre from 2pm - 3:30pm on Thursday 11 September. 

It will be an opportunity to take a break and connect with colleagues over a delicious afternoon tea.

We will welcome special guest 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 awarded 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 (finger food) will be served in the foyer of the Science Theatre

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 rate #2 globally in "Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts". Graeme held senior positions at Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Kearney. After a sever 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".

Livestream

The livestream will commence from 2pm. Please click here to join the livestream.