Warning: This story talks about suicide. If you are struggling, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Losing a work colleague to suicide became the inspiration to emblazon a Lismore City Council waste collection and a fuel truck with an R U OK? message.

The revamped waste collection truck can be seen driving around the Lismore region from September 12, to coincide with R U OK? Day.

Lismore City Council senior law enforcement officer Jody Hynd said Council had “recently lost a staff member recently and it’s a raw issue with council staff”.

“I’d prefer to sit down with you for two hours, rather than listen to a 15 minute eulogy,” Jody said.

“The idea is to start community conversations where people take the time to talk to others who might be struggling,” Jody said.

“R U OK?’s vision is a world where people are connected and protected from suicide.

 “Our collection trucks travel all over town at all times of day. If someone sees the artwork and that encourages them to ask one person ‘are you ok?’ then it’s doing its job.”

Jody said the truck wrapping was instigated by a Council staff member who wanted to promote the campaign in a visible and public way, and management agreed it was an excellent idea.

“If we can make a change and get together as a community and start the conversation and we save one person, then it’s been a success.”

He said the aim is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.

“Suicide affects everybody – work colleagues, family and friends,” he said. “The flow on effect is heartbreaking.

“So many people out there are struggling - not just our workers. We want to encourage people to talk to their neighbours and ask ‘are you ok?’. That may be enough to make a difference.

“If someone says they are ok, then ask them ‘how can I help or assist?’ or ‘what do you need?’.

“You can also encourage anyone struggling to call Lifeline, and if they won’t, then call Lifeline yourself and ask for ways you can help them.

Lismore City Council staff Ian Thomson, Tony Kennedy, Tom Moodie and Jody Hynds.

 “Although R U OK? Day is just one day a year, we want people to keep asking ‘what’s going on?’ all year round, and roll out the R U OK? message every year.

“The essence of the campaign is that a simple conversation could change a life. The premise is that if people feel connected to others and have someone to talk to, they can more effectively work through dark times.

“R U OK? encourages you to ask a question if you have a niggling feeling that someone you know or care about isn’t behaving as they normally would, seems out of sorts, agitated, withdrawn or just not themselves.

"They encourage you to trust that gut instinct and act on it.”

The R U OK? campaign started in 1995 following the death of Barry Larkin, whose suicide left family and friends in deep grief and with endless questions.

In 2009, his son Gavin Larkin chose to champion just one question to honour his father and try to protect other families from the pain his endured – R U OK?

While collaborating with Janina Nearn on a documentary to raise awareness, the team quickly realised the documentary alone wouldn’t be enough.

To genuinely change behaviour Australia-wide, a national campaign was needed.

And from this realisation, R U OK? was born.

Gavin remained a passionate champion of the fact a conversation could change a life, even as cancer ended his in 2011.

“We are proud to support this campaign and encourage people to reach out to colleagues, friends and relatives,” Jody said.

“We can be deeply disconnected as a society despite all the technology we have that is meant to connect us. 

“By starting a real conversation and commenting on changes you’ve noticed in someone you know, you could help that family member, friend or workmate open up.

It could be the difference between them seeking help or not.”

To For more information or advice, visit www.ruok.org.au or call Lifeline on 13 11 14.