Have you thought about how far a simple conversation can go?
For Bentley business owner and R U OK? Community Ambassador Ming Johanson, that question is more than a campaign slogan. It is something she has lived through, and something she carries into her everyday life.
Ming has called Bentley home since the pandemic. She runs her own digital marketing agency and is a familiar face at her local café. Away from the business, Ming has walked through her share of hardship and loss.
“I’ve got lived experience of suicidal ideation and mental health,” she said.
“I’ve got a diagnosis of PTSD and anxiety disorder. Even though I’m quite well spoken, I have a lot of stuff I’ve worked through. I share that quite openly in my business community as well.”
Ming grew up in an environment of child abuse. Later, she lost her fiancé in a tragic accident.
More recently, she has supported friends through grief. She noted the hard truth is that grief never leaves, but life can still grow around it.
“The grief will never go away, but life grows and flourishes around that grief,” she said.
It was also the suicide of a young family member that led her to become an R U OK? Ambassador in 2018.
“I had the understanding and passion for R U OK? of if only he knew,” she said.
“If only he knew there were others who had gone through challenges and that he had somebody to talk to. That’s sort of become the main focus for me. I want to equip people who are the help givers with tools so they can have a conversation and be the support mechanism for someone.”
This year’s theme is ‘Ask R U OK? Any Day.’ Ming sees it as a reminder that checking in is not just about one day in September.
“You don’t just wait for the wheels to come off somebody’s car, or for some catastrophic event, to check in,” she said.
“Community connection becomes so important to keep us healthy and supported and loved and know that we’re part of a community.”
She also wants people to remember it is more than just asking the question.
“It’s about the four steps,” she said.
“Ask the question, listen without judgment, encourage action and then check in. People see the R U OK? bit, they ask, and then they’re not really ready to hear the answer. It’s not about fixing. It’s just about listening.”
And she explained it does not always have to be the words “are you OK?”
“It could just be, hey you were on my mind. I thought I’d just drop you a message,” she said.
“It can be a general catch up. It’s about genuinely caring and investing in the wellbeing of your community.”
Ming has seen the difference these conversations can make. At one event, someone heard her speak about her own mental health struggles and later sought help.
“Three years later he came back to me and said, I went without a diagnosis. This has helped my life so much. That’s beautiful.”
Ming advises everyone that the best place to start is with themselves. She said the first step is to check in with yourself.
“Make sure you’re okay to have that conversation,” she said.
“You don’t have to have all the answers. People can often solve their own problems. They just need somebody as a sounding board.”
According to her, “In the time that it takes to have a cup of coffee, you could have a conversation that could change your life.
“So, think of two people in your world who could use a conversation. Reach out. Have that coffee. You might not have the answers, but that is okay. Just being there could make all the difference.”
R U OK?Day is today, September 11, 2025. The national campaign is a reminder that every day is the day to check in with friends, family, community members and colleagues.
