Television host Allison Langdon became emotional on the No Filter podcast recounting the death of her husband's close friend, Gavin Larkin, the founder of the mental health initiative R U OK Day?.
Larkin, who died in September 2011 at age 42 from Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, established the national suicide prevention campaign after his own father died by suicide. Langdon shared that Larkin was motivated to launch the initiative after having his own children and realizing the struggles his father must have faced.
"He said to me that he wanted to launch R U Ok Day? in Bondi Beach and asked if I could get the Today show there!" Langdon recalled.
The tragedy struck Larkin's family again two years later when his 14-year-old son, Gus, also died from cancer. Langdon described the profound grief experienced by Larkin's widow, Maryanne.
"That was the toughest thing for Gav, knowing that she would have to go at it alone. That was brutal," Langdon said, her voice breaking.
Langdon's involvement with R U OK Day? began in 2009 when she helped launch the initiative on the Today show. She emphasized the importance of checking in on friends and family, as well as oneself.
"So R U Ok Day is also a chance for us to check within ourselves, if we are okay. If you think someone has been a bit quiet, check in on them to see if they are okay," she advised.
Langdon noted that Larkin insisted the conversation around R U OK Day? remain positive and uplifting, despite the difficult subject matter.
"It teaches you that you never know what's around the corner. It teaches you to make the most of every moment, to appreciate the people in your life, to be mindful of the path you take," Langdon reflected. "It also reminds you to do lots of checking in, of the importance of kindness and just being a good human, a good friend."