Emma Jarvis: This R U OK Day, ditch the superficial check-ins for a ...

Every year, when R U OK Day comes around I am reminded of a time when my children were young, and I was so tired and lonely that I did an experiment. For one week, I decided to be honest when people asked me if I was OK.

The first time I was asked if I was OK, it had been a busy week. My husband had been away with work, the kids had been their usual full, vibrant and energetic selves and life felt relentless. An older gentleman in a community that I was part of asked; “Hi Emma, how are you?” I replied, a little vulnerable: “I’m tired and grumpy actually”.