Tyler Everingham promoting good mental health as R U OK? ambassador

That's the question Dubbo's Tyler Everingham wants the public to ask their friends and family on Thursday to prompt a discussion on mental health.

"Start the conversation and keep it going," Mr Everingham said.

"There's more to say than asking 'are you okay?'. Continue the conversation and make it comfortable and for it to be alright to talk between family and friends."

Thursday, September 10 is R U OK?Day.

Mr Everingham, well known in the region as an up-and-coming motorsport driver, is also the city's R U OK?Day ambassador.

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It's a role the 19-year-old has had for two years.

He said it was a "really easy connection" to make after seeing family members and close friends go through anxiety and depression.

"It's just really good to get the word out there and it really hits close to home."

Both Mr Everingham's race suit and car have the R U OK? branding.

"It's a big subject and it's not talked about as much as it needs to be, there's still a stigma around it," he said.

But the teenager is hoping to get both the R U OK? name and their message on the importance of conversations to a national audience.

"2020 has obviously been a challenging year for everyone and there are circumstances that have made it even more important for us to stay connected," Mr Everingham said.

"In the lead up to R U OK? Day we'll help Australians to know what to say if they're not okay and guide them through how they can have a conversation that could change a life.

"There's obviously more to say after asking 'are you okay?'. There are plenty of resources available on RUOK.org.au. Anyone can go and visit and just have a look and learn what to say next."

Some of the R U OK? conversation tips include allowing the person you're talking to to fully express their emotions while actively listening to what they have to say and staying calm during the discussion.

Mr Everingham said he had encouraged people to have those difficult conversations after some friends reached out to him on social media.

His own 2020 was "going okay", the motorsport driver said.

"I've been missing the racing a little bit but it'll all come back around," Mr Everingham said.

"I've got some big news coming up so I'm really looking forward to that."

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