Turning Things Around with R U OK?

Every day offers an opportunity to reach out and connect with those around us, especially when we see someone struggling. Today, we share Daniel’s story.

Daniel is one of our frontline agents working out of our Boorloo (Perth) office. His courageous story reminds us that we never truly know someone’s journey and that asking, “Are you OK?” shouldn’t be limited to just one day a year. Keep asking, keep being there, because, as Daniel shares, it’s a question that can change lives.

Daniel’s story

One day a year, millions of Australians are encouraged to ask their family, friends, loved ones and coworkers the question, “R U OK?” But what about the rest of the year? I know if it wasn’t for my coworkers and friends regularly asking me if I was ok I may not be here today.

My life hasn’t been easy. Every day, I battle the black dog, and there have been times when I wished I wasn’t alive. If I’m being truthful, getting a job with TSA Group has saved my life.

A year before joining TSA, my life started to fall apart. My pet cat died, a close friend ended our friendship, I was indecently assaulted at a concert, and my daughter decided she no longer wanted to be a part of my life. On top of all that, I was falling behind in my rent, which strained my mental health and affected my work performance, resulting in the loss of my previous job.

Thankfully, after losing that job, I quickly found a new job with TSA. I started on what would’ve been my daughter’s 12th birthday (23 January 2023). By then, I hadn’t seen her since the previous November, when she told me she wanted nothing more to do with me.

I didn’t share any of this with my new coworkers. I kept it all to myself. When I was regularly asked if I was OK, I would lie and say yes. But even though I wasn’t being honest, just having my colleagues ask if I was OK made a difference. It showed me that they cared enough to ask and would listen if I ever chose to open up.

As time went on, I started falling further behind in my rent, and I was very close to being evicted. This impacted my mental health even more. Eventually, I bit the bullet and sought help from Ruah Community Services. They helped get me back on track with my rent and connected me with other services to improve my mental health. I also began to open up to my coworkers, admitting that I wasn’t OK and that I was struggling.

Earlier this year, when I found out that TSA was partnering with Ruah, it felt like everything had come full circle. The organisation that had supported me in my darkest times was now connected to my workplace. The help I received from Ruah was life-changing. They assisted me in catching up on my rent and getting approved for the state government rent assistance scheme, which paid off all my remaining arrears. Because of this, I’m no longer at risk of losing my home and becoming homeless.

My colleagues have also been incredibly supportive, regularly checking in on me to make sure I’m OK.

Thanks to the support I’ve received through Ruah, my coworkers, and my friends, I’ve turned my life around. At work, I’m regularly kicking goals, which led to an incredible trip to Uluru through TSA. I have stable accommodation, my daughter reached out to me through Messenger, and we’ve been regularly keeping in touch. I’m also now in a relationship with a wonderful woman.

There were times when it felt like nothing could ever get better, and the challenges I faced were all-consuming. But things can work out, even when it seems impossible. That’s why it’s so important to regularly check in with those closest to you—not just on R U OK? Day, but every day. Keep asking, keep being there. It could save a life, just as it helped save mine.

Everyone has a story

You never know what someone might be going through. Starting a conversation could make all the difference.

If you’re unsure how to start an R U OK? conversation, or if you or someone you know needs support, help is available:

• How to Ask: R U OK?: Simple steps to starting a conversation that could change a life.
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
• Ruah Community Service: Learn more about the services available to West Australians facing homelessness, family and domestic violence, mental health challenges, and more.

TSA are Australia’s market leading specialists in CX Consultancy and Contact Centre Services. We are passionate about revolutionising the way brands connect with Australians. How? By combining our local expertise with the most sophisticated customer experience technology on earth, and delivering with an expert team of customer service consultants who know exactly how to help brands care for their customers.