RUOK? – Raising Boys Who Are Brave Enough to Ask
- brokenandrestored1
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
We all want our boys to grow up strong. Strong in their character, strong in their sense of self, and strong in how they show up for others.
But what if strength included more than we were taught?
What if true courage wasn't just about staying in control or pushing through, but about recognising when things aren't okay, and being brave enough to say something?
As R U OK? Day approaches, we're reflecting on a different kind of bravery.
Not loud or showy. But the quiet kind—the kind that shows up when a mate needs support. The kind that says, “I’ve been struggling too.”
The kind that isn’t afraid to ask the hard question.
That kind of bravery changes lives.
What if it was your son who asked?
What if he was the one who noticed when something felt off—and leaned in instead of walking away?
What if he was the friend who said, “I’m here if you want to talk,” even when it was hard to find the words?
What if we raised boys who could care deeply—for their mates, their family, and themselves—without fear or shame?
This isn’t about changing who they are. It's about giving them the tools to thrive in who they are—emotionally aware, respectful, grounded, and resilient.
What boys have grown up hearing
Many boys have been raised with messages like:
🗣️ “Man up.”
🗣️ “Get over it.”
🗣️ “Don’t be so soft.”
🗣️ “You’ll be fine. Stop crying.”
These phrases weren’t always meant to harm—but over time, they’ve sent a message: that showing emotion isn’t okay. That strength means staying silent.
But we know now that emotions aren’t the problem—shame is. And silence?
Silence can make someone feel like they have to face it alone.
We’re not replacing strength.
We’re redefining it to include emotional courage.
This is where GRIT begins
At LIVEfree Project, we’re building space for boys to grow in strength—not just physically or mentally, but emotionally too.
Through our GRIT Program (Grounded, Respect, Integrity and Trust), we walk alongside young men as they explore what healthy masculinity can look like—without pressure or judgement.
In GRIT, boys learn that:
It's okay to feel sad, confused or overwhelmed—and to talk to someone about it
Emotions don’t make them weak—they make them human
Recognising when someone’s not okay is a powerful skill
Loyalty, leadership and confidence grow out of self-awareness
We talk about anger. Friendship. Family. Frustration.We talk about what to do when you feel stuck, or when someone close to you is.We create a safe, respectful space where boys feel heard and understood.
We’re raising emotionally intelligent boys—without taking away their strength
We’re not replacing resilience. We’re expanding it.We’re educating boys who:
✅ Understand and express their emotions
✅ Know how to support a friend in need
✅ Value honesty, respect and connection
✅ Can recognise when someone might be struggling—and aren’t afraid to ask
We’ve seen boys shift from joking to avoid tough conversations…
To being the one who checks in with a mate at lunch.
From “I don’t talk about stuff like that,”
To “Yeah, I’ve had a rough week too.”
That’s not weakness. That’s growth.
So again… what if it was your son who asked?
Not the teacher.
Not the youth worker.
Not the parent.
Him.
What if your son was the one who noticed a classmate withdrawing?
What if he sat beside someone who didn’t know how to ask for help?
What if he said:“Are you okay?”
And what if that moment changed everything?
We believe in raising boys who don’t just grow older…
They grow deeper.
R U OK? Day is more than a date on the calendar
It’s a reminder that strength comes in many forms. It's about making sure our boys know:
That it’s okay to not be okay
That you don’t have to fix someone’s pain—just walk with them in it
That empathy, awareness and connection are signs of strength—not softness
Because when we create space for boys to feel, to listen, and to speak up.
We’re not making them less strong. We’re making them more whole.
If you’re a parent, carer, educator or mentor—thank you. You're part of a bigger story.Together, we’re raising boys who are grounded, confident, emotionally aware, and brave enough to ask the question.
Because that one question might just save a life.
If you’d like to support the GRIT program—whether through volunteering, school partnership, fundraising, or simply sharing this message—we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can raise a generation of boys who are emotionally strong, socially aware, and unafraid to care.
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