After recovering from depression and being in a much better place that I used to be, I started asking people how they are. I do it every day, and I mean it. Mostly don't get a response, or get a 'good'. However, every once in a while, especially on chat, someone will say how they really are, and I'll be glad I asked. Also, you mentioned that you are okay but if you're not, you can always PM me too. :)
Interesting side-note, if you ask a person with asperger's or related, "How are you?" it can freeze their brain. Because literally, semantics, to that person the question is imprecise, vague, could be asking about philosophy, biology, existentialism, existence in time, how you came to be... This is why people with asperger's/autism frequently look blankly at you when asked a "simple" question. =)