By Dr Bibiana Chan
The question “RUOK?” is often asked with good intentions. But sometimes I wonder whether we are asking enough. The sudden death of Professor Jason Arday, the youngest Black professor appointed in the history of the University of Cambridge, has deeply saddened and disturbed me. He was only 41.
Prof. Arday became the centre of intense public scrutiny following allegations about plagiarism in his doctoral thesis and questions about aspects of his academic career. He resigned from Cambridge on 5 August 2026, saying that the pressure and scrutiny had become overwhelming. He was found dead 9 days later at his home in south London. Police have said his death was unexpected and is not being treated as suspicious.
There is much we do not yet know, and I believe it is important not to speculate about the cause of his death or make assumptions about the competing allegations. But his death has made me reflect on a much bigger question:
What happens to a person’s mental health when the environment around them becomes a source of relentless pressure, scrutiny, discrimination or exclusion?
“Of course I’m not OK. Then what?”
I have heard people lived-experience question whether “RUOK?” can sometimes be too superficial. For someone living with chronic mental health challenges, the response may be:
“Of course I’m not OK. Then what?”
It is a powerful question. If all we do is ask whether someone is okay but do nothing with the answer, what have we actually achieved?
Perhaps the next question should be: “What would help you feel more OK?”
This shifts the conversation from checking an individual’s wellbeing to understanding the ‘ecosystem’ (environment) in which that person is trying to live.
What about migrants and culturally diverse communities?
My interest in this issue is not new. My doctoral research, Depression through Chinese Eyes, examined depression from the perspective of Chinese people. Since completing my thesis in 2007, I have continued to observe how racism, discrimination and cultural expectations can affect the mental wellbeing of people from migrant and culturally diverse backgrounds.
Racism is not simply an unpleasant experience. Repeated experiences of being stereotyped, excluded, questioned, underestimated or made to feel that we do not belong can affect our identity, belonging and self-worth.
This raises a difficult question: “What if the environment is part of the problem, rather than the person?”
Imagine telling someone from a culturally diverse background:
“Why don’t you just adapt?”
“Why don’t you communicate more like us?”
“Why don’t you fit into the mainstream?”
But how much adapting is enough?
A person cannot simply change the colour of their skin to become more acceptable. They should not have to become “paler” or “whiter” to be welcomed into mainstream society.
The burden of change cannot always be placed on the person experiencing exclusion. Sometimes, the environment needs to change too.
Are we applying the same standards?
Recent discussion surrounding Professor Arday has also made me reflect on the possibility of double standards. In 2023, Cambridge’s disciplinary process found that Professor William O’Reilly had committed plagiarism involving material from a student’s work. The university tribunal characterised the plagiarism as negligent rather than deliberate, and he was permitted to return to work after the investigation. The Varsity report
I am not suggesting that the two cases are identical. They clearly are not. But the comparison raises an uncomfortable question:
Do we apply the same standards of scrutiny, due process and proportionality to everyone, regardless of race and background?
If the answer is yes, we should be able to demonstrate it. If the answer is no, we need to ask why.
From “What’s the matter with you?” to “What matters to you?”
This is something I have learnt through lived experience and through my work with young people. There is a profound difference between asking:
“What’s the matter with you?” and: “What matters to you?”
The first focuses on what is wrong with the individual. The second invites us to understand the person’s values, hopes, identity, relationships and environment.
Perhaps we need to take the same approach to “RUOK?”
Instead of stopping at: “Are you OK?”
we could ask:
“What is making it difficult for you to be OK?”
“What would make things better?”
“What would help take the pressure off?”
“What would you like to see change?”
And then:
“How can I help?”
Resilience is not the whole answer. Mental health conversations can sometimes place too much responsibility on the individual:
Be resilient. Ask for help. Look after yourself. Learn coping strategies.
These things can be valuable. But resilience should not become an excuse for ignoring the environment. If someone repeatedly experiences racism, discrimination, exclusion, workplace barriers or online abuse, telling them simply to “be resilient” is not enough.
We also need to ask:
What can we change?
Young people from culturally diverse backgrounds should not have to erase their culture, accent, appearance or identity to prove that they belong.
They should be able to say:
“This is who I am. This is what I bring. And I belong here too.”
Perhaps this is what “RUOK?” could mean in 2026. Not simply:
“Are you OK?” But:
“What is happening around you that is making it harder to be OK?”
“What would you like to change?”
And most importantly: “How can I help make that change happen?”
That is a different kind of check-in.
At Community Flower Studio, we believe that small connections can make a difference. A conversation, a creative activity, an invitation to participate, or simply knowing that someone sees you and values your contribution can be a small but meaningful source of hope. So this RUOK? Day, let’s go beyond asking: “Are you OK?”
Let’s care enough to ask:
“What would help you feel more OK? I hear you. Tell me what needs to change.”
References:
- SteffLondon “I have spent time reading,
watching and listening to the people who knew Jason personally, his friends, colleagues and those who had the privilege of knowing the man behind the headlines…” https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcHb14VMHTl/ - Jason Arday death ‘tragedy on so many levels’ says PM. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9982znvyk4o
- UK PM Andy Burnham speaks on death of Jason Arday, former Cambridge professor facing plagiarism allegations. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-15/ex-cambridge-professor-in-plagiarism-scandal-found-dead/107041562
- UK’s Burnham urges reflection on death of academic Arday. https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-burnham-laments-death-academic-arday-tragedy-so-many-levels-2026-08-15/
- Tributes paid to Jason Arday after former Cambridge professor’s death https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/15/jason-arday-tributes-paid-to-former-cambridge-professor
If you or anyone you know needs help:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- Headspace on 1800 650 890
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
- SANE: 1800 187 263
- Police – 000 (Triple Zero)