#OK2SAYNO (to booze)
A simple hashtag. A life-saving message creating social change and social inclusion in the bush. Get involved.
At Sober in the Country, our purpose is never to comment on or judge our mates who can enjoy a beer or two safely or in moderation.
Our aim instead – with your help – is to create a better bush culture where those who choose not to drink (or to drink less or skip a day) are fully supported, included, and catered for.
Join our #OK2SAYNO movement and help our mates know that it's always #OK2SAYNO.
How you can help
We invite you, your family, your mates, your organisation and/or your venue to help share the #OK2SAYNO message.
1. Share the #OK2SAYNO logo widely across your website, socials (including the hashtag), invitations to events and on signs and more at your venue or workplace. And when sharing on socials, don't forget to tag us and use the hashtags: #OK2SAYNO #SITC #SOBERINTHECOUNTRY #RURAL #MENTALHEALTH #BETHECHANGE
2. Share the reason for your support:
"We’re proud to support the Sober in the Country charity and its #OK2SAYNO message – and we'll be committing to always include and cater for our non drinking mates, too. We stand behind the charity's work creating a better culture where it's always #OK2SAYNO to booze."
3. Ensure you always have plenty of tasty alcohol-free drink options available.
4. Tag us and help be part of the ripple effect.
When sharing the #OK2SAYNO message, logo, and good vibes on the socials, don't forget to tag our social media accounts:
- Instagram: @sober_in_the_country
- Facebook: @Sober in the Country Ltd
- TikTok: @sober_in_the_country
5. Wear our merchandise.
Whether you're a drinker, a non-drinker, or a sometimes drinker, everyone is welcome to wear our merchandise, which is ultimately about showing support. Our range is here. Some of the best messaging happens when a community gets together before an event (like a rodeo or camp draft) and the committee grabs some merch and shares photos of locals rocking the #OK2SAYNO logo on trucker caps, tees or work shirts (and yes, it's fine for you to enjoy a drink while wearing our merch!).
Don't forget to cater to everyone and support your mates who say “no thanks” or “not today” to the offer of booze.
Please don’t assume everyone at your event drinks alcohol or wants to drink it all night long. We know plenty of our mates enjoy one or two and like to switch. Keeping some decent alternatives to grog in your esky, your board rooms and rec rooms, in your home and at your events is a game changer for rural communities.
And we hear repeatedly from event hosts that tasty, healthy, sugar-free, and alcohol-free options sell out super fast and they’re making a healthy profit, too. Even those who enjoy a drink or two are thrilled to see that they can switch to something else tasty after a beer or a wine.
We suggest you opt for a selection of zero-alcohol beer, wines, or spirits but also be sure to include an option like soda water or ETCH Sparkling for those who can’t drink ‘’imitation alcohol’’ (which can be a risky trigger zone for our mates who’ve battled addiction). Find out more here.
We ask you to please get into the habit of letting no mean “no” (the first time) if your mate doesn’t want alcohol ... and to include your mates, no matter the kind of drink they have in their hands.
These simple actions can be a HUGE help in supporting and including your mates who are choosing to cut back or cut out booze.
Participate in our annual #OK2SAYNO Day fundraising challenge
Each year in February, we celebrate #OK2SAYNO Day with a mental health awareness fundraising challenge for our rural mates.
Whether it's just you and your mates, you and your family, or with the crew at your workplace or community organisation, we invite you to take the #OK2SAYNO Day challenge.
How to take the #OK2SAYNO Day challenge:
1. Host an alcohol-free event or BBQ to celebrate, normalise and show support for our mates who are choosing to cut back or opt out of alcohol.
2. Donate the “equivalent” of your average BBQ alcoholic drinks budget to Sober in the Country via our donate page.
3. Take some epic photos, share them widely on your website and socials. And don’t forget to tag us and use the hashtags: #OK2SAYNO #OK2SAYNOCHALLENGE #OK2SAYNODAY #SITC #SOBERINTHECOUNTRY #RURAL #MENTALHEALTH #BETHECHANGE
By taking this challenge, you’ll be helping us to spread the message around our rural communities that when we include, cater for and remember our non-drinking mates, we're changing the narrative around booze in the bush and literally helping save lives. Thank you.
Wall of legends
Just a few of the awesome rural humans and organisations who are helping us to spread the #OK2SAYNO message:
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO NEXT?
