R U OK? This is the question thousands of Australians will ask their friends, family and colleagues today (Thursday, September 11) as part of a national suicide prevention campaign to raise awareness about mental health and wellbeing.

To help spread the R U OK? Day message, Flinders Creative Arts graduates Bayley Broome-Peake and Emma McGavisk have made a film clip encouraging people to take the time to ask each other “are you ok?”, and support those who are struggling with life long before they think about suicide.

Ms Broome-Peake directed the video, wrote the soundtrack “We All Fall” and shot the footage across several iconic Adelaide locations, including Rundle St in the city and Moseley Square in Glenelg, under the guidance of Flinders Creations Producer Dr Tom Young.

With the help of 12 local musicians and actors, and more than 30 extras, she said the video’s aim is to bring people together – irrespective of race, gender, age, religion or sexuality – to have conversations about mental health.

“As an R U OK? community ambassador, I’m passionate about raising awareness for mental health and suicide,” she said.

“Six or more people die every day from suicide yet nobody talks about it and it’s not in the media.

“We always see ads on TV about the dangers of speeding and drink driving but suicide seems so taboo and we need to change that.”

At Flinders, a number of student services will be promoting the day around campus, including Health Counselling and Disability Services, the Flinders University Student Association, Oasis and Flinders Living.

The film, which was funded by a $4,000 grant the Helpmann Academy, can be viewed here.

For more information about the R U OK? initiative visit the website.