Ally Langdon reflects on R U OK Day founder's death
Langdon opened up about her friend Gavin Larkin, who founded R U OK Day in 2009 and died of lymphoma in 2011.
A Current Affair host Ally Langdon became emotional on the No Filter podcast discussing Gavin Larkin, the man who created R U OK Day. Larkin came up with the idea after his father took his own life when Larkin was in his 20s.
Larkin wanted to launch a day dedicated to checking in on people who might be struggling, and he asked Langdon to help get the Today show involved. Though producers worried the suicide topic was too dark for morning television, the idea launched in 2009 with a focus on connection and having each other's backs.
Larkin died from lymphoma in 2011, aged 47, two years after starting the initiative. His son Gus later died from a brain tumour.
Langdon has remained involved with R U OK Day, saying it taught her to make the most of every moment and to check in on the people in her life.
Why it mattersShows the personal story behind Australia's biggest mental health awareness day, which reaches millions every September.
AustraliaR U OK Day is uniquely Australian, launched on a Sydney beach and now runs nationally each year on the second Wednesday of September.
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