The R U OK? organisation will unfold its banners at Marist College at Pearce and invite the Canberra community to a barbecue.

The group has chosen to bring its campaign to the national capital on World Suicide Prevention Day.

The not-for-profit suicide prevention organisation is driving 12,000 kilometres across Australia, hosting community events in metropolitan and regional centres.

The marathon bus trip began in Darwin on August 7 and has been to Townsville, Dubbo, Adelaide and Albury.

The appearance in Canberra is the penultimate stop on the trip, which finishes in Sydney on Thursday.

Brendan Maher, general manager of R U OK? said the bus tour was intended to inspire people to look out for their friends.

"We're aiming to put mateship back on track," he said.

"We are signing up conversation mates all along the way. That is, signing up to show you are someone who will commit to being an even better mate by asking R U OK? and looking out more regularly for family and friends who are struggling.

"When you sign up, we will send you tips and reminders on email to help keep that going all year round."

Mr Maher said the yellow bus crew had received very warm welcomes, particularly in regional and rural Australia.

"In remote communities, they are saying, w'e're so glad you came, you shone a shining a light on this issue'," he said.

"A lot of the these communities have done it tough and it is good to have the opportunity for a forum to build some awareness about the need for each and every one of us to look out for one another and to support each other.

"People are embracing it and it is important to us that we didn't just roll in and then leave again in a cloud of dust. So we have engaged with organisations such as Headspace, Reach Out and other community-based organisations, to increase awareness of the services that are available.

"We are very lucky to have a strong ambassador roster on the tour."

ACT Liberal Zed Seselja is a parliamentary ambassador for the program and will travel on the bus on its final leg to Sydney.

Mr Maher said R U OK? was set up in 2009 by Gavin Larkin. He died from cancer in 2011, aged 42.

"Gavin was a very successful person in the advertising world who lost his father to suicide in the mid-'90s," Mr Maher said.

"He was motivated to have something constructive come out of the death of his father.

"He always found it challenging to explain to his children why their grandfather was not around, so he harnessed the resources around him and the first R U OK? day happened in in 2009.

"It was launched by then health minister Nicola Roxon at Parliament House in Canberra and has continued to receive government funding since."

Phone Lifeline on 131 114.