Today we are hosting the second panel discussion on Mental Health in the Workplace, bringing over 100 leading financial services representatives to join in the conversation.
As a psychologist and MetLife’s Health & Recovery Manager, I take pride in seeing the industry so eager to participate – whether it is listening, learning or sharing – as activities such as these move us closer to achieving an effective, overarching mental health architecture in Australia that we can understand and implement.
I am cognisant, though, that these events can be overwhelming for participants as they learn about the dire state of mental health prevalence in Australia, and the rising social expectations of workplaces to play a role in prevention and intervention (work-related conditions or otherwise).
My message to those feeling overwhelmed is this quote: Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success – Henry Ford.
Executing a mental health workplace strategy is seldom something an organisation can accomplish on its own; there are too many stakeholders: employees, medical practitioners, insurers, family members and others. Thus, I feel this quote serves as a call to action to establish and develop collaboration and communication pathways with those around you to help you on the pursuit.
Who could help build an employee mental health strategy into the way you do business? Which stakeholders do you need to support your mental health workplace strategy?
Online resources such as Heads Up are a start. Your Employee Assistance Provider could be another avenue to explore.
As an example, MetLife provides workplace offerings as part of its Health and Wellbeing Framework to assist partners to focus on the mental health of their employees. This spans from Workplace Risk Profiling in the prevention space, to providing return to work services for employees on claim.
MetLife Health and Wellbeing is designed to help members have the best quality of life they can, wherever they are in their health journey.
Tools and resources to be better informed on health and wellbeing.
Content and insights to help prevent conditions occurring through the proactive use of tools, resources and services.
Support at the first sign of a condition to prevent it from progressing, making staying at work and swift recovery possible.
Tailored and co-ordinated advice, support and specialist services during the waiting period and while on claim, that compliment treatment.
Tailored and co-ordinated community support & services where a return to health is unlikely.
