Australian Story: Sept 12

Monday’s episode of Australian Story will profile Gavin Larkin, created a national day of awareness called R U OK? Day.

Gavin Larkin was the ultimate alpha male. He was a highly successful advertising executive with a seemingly perfect life except, as he says himself, he was a bit of a ‘prick’.

Gavin decided he needed to change his life and three years ago used his high profile contacts to single handedly create a national day of awareness called R U OK? Day.

The aim was to combat depression and suicide by encouraging people to check on the welfare of  friends, colleagues and family. Gavin lost his father to depression and suicide when Gavin was 26 years old.

Within nine months, R U OK? Day achieved levels of awareness that other organisations had failed to achieve over the course of decades.

But not long after the launch, Gavin himself was anything but okay.

The then 41-year-old was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lymphoma and given a 50 percent chance of  survival.

Just a few weeks later, his then 11-year-old son Gus was told he had an inoperable brain tumour.

In the past 18 months, the pair have dealt with their cancer in remarkable ways. Gavin has found his young son’s attitude a source of strength and guidance.

Gavin continued to lead R U OK? Day from his hospital bed, even checking himself out to attend last October’s launch.

R U OK? Day has become a phenomenon. Within two years, it has achieved 30 percent  awareness and last year, one in ten adults asked a loved one, ‘are you okay?’ in an effort to reduce the suicide toll.

Now, Gavin has been given only weeks to live but is determined to be around for the third year of R U OK? Day on September 15 and to do what he can to ensure its survival well into the future.

8pm Monday on ABC1.