There are definitely some questions you shouldn’t ask at work. “Can I borrow your toothbrush?” and “Got a spare pair of undies?” are two. “Are you OK?” isn’t one.

Research by the suicide prevention organization, R U OK, showed that 56% of Australians get very nervous about asking after a friend’s wellbeing if they appear troubled or stressed (2013 R U OK? National Survey).

So it recruited the help of national health promotion foundation, Superfriend, and agency OgilvOne, to help people find the courage to approach people who seem to be in need.

The R U OK? at Work campaign has a fundamentally simple goal that people find really hard – asking R U OK?

“Conversations can be hard and it takes strength and courage to ask the question and really listen to what someone has to say,” R U OK? campaign director, Rebecca Lewis, stated. “We’re using humour to capture people’s attention and remind them that they have the power to make a real difference by asking that simple question.”

The campaign includes posters, email images and copy, intranet banners and social media assets.

OgilvyOne’s Josh Parmenter explained, “We have an opportunity to make a positive impact on our friends at work, and it’s something that is too important to pass up. R U OK? wanted to work with businesses from the top down, to really encourage meaningful conversations in the workplace and help people ask the right questions.”

OgilvyOne’s staff starred in the campaign, helping to keep down costs and make sure R U OK?’s ad spend went a long way.

“Finding the people willing to help such a cause wasn’t a difficult task. As we were on a limited budget, we supported the campaign in a different way by getting the topline talent from our staff, and using our offices and kitchens as the set,’ OgilvyOne’s managing partner, Sally Kissane, said.