Triple J's Ben and Liam Opened Up On "R U OK Day" About Copping Online Abuse All Year

Today is R U OK Day, which is your annual opportunity to check in with your mates to ensure that they’re doing, well, okay.

(Technically, you can—and should—ask people if they’re okay any day of the year, but making a big thing of it every September 14 is a nice way of reminding everyone how important such a simple question can be.)

With the negative campaigning of the marriage equality postal vote in full swing, making sure our family and friends (especially in the LGBTQI community) are coping has never been more important.

However, even radio DJs get the blues, with Triple J Breakfast hosts Ben Harvey and Liam Stapleton taking the opportunity this morning to open up about their own mental health struggles.

As MusicFeeds reports, Ben and Liam discussed the negative messages and online abuse they’ve received ever since taking over for Alex Dyson and Matt Okine this year.

"It does get hard; there is sometimes a fresh can of hate that you’ve gotta open up every day, and it definitely wears you down," said Stapleton.

"We see when people text into our workplace, we see things. We see all the posts, we see all the comments. And I can honestly say I’ve had nights where I’ve cried myself to sleep because of stuff like that."

He also shared how he has occasionally “flown home back to Adelaide and just felt like a disappointment, a failure."

Harvey offered his mate support on the air, reminding him “there’s a lot of people who do love you and what you do, myself included."

"You don’t sift through the Facebook messages like I do, through all the hateful ones. But through all the hateful ones there’s also a lot of loving ones, so yeah, a lot of people are here for ‘yah."

Big ups @triplej and Ben & Liam for your piece on #RUOKday 🙌🏽 super important conversation. 🙏🏽

— Emma McGarry (@emcg733) September 13, 2017

What a good morning on @triplej with Ben&Liam 🔥🔥👍👍keep up the good work boys , much love guys 👍❤️

— Richie Anker (@richiegrams_) September 13, 2017

Given Ben and Liam’s message today, it’s important to remember: Words hurt.

But also, as R U OK Day reminds, words can help too—even simple, text-speak words that are just one letter long.

Ask a mate if they’re okay, today.

Support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Photo: Triple J