A workshop aimed at helping business leaders understand their obligations around protecting the mental health of their workers, will be held in Invercargill this month (February). 

The workshop will outline a framework developed by leading health and safety expert Dr Hillary Bennett. It has been developed specifically for the Business Leaders’ Health and Safety Forum to help leaders make sense of their role in managing mental health and wellbeing at work. 

The framework breaks the management of mental health and wellbeing at work down into four sections; 

• PROTECT: identifying risks to mental health and wellbeing, eliminating or minimizing at the source where possible, and incorporating protective factors into the workplace. 

• SUPPORT: provide access to appropriate workplace and clinical support 

• FOSTER: Develop the mental health and wellbeing capability of individuals and teams. 

• RECLAIM: Restore the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and teams. 

Healthy Families Invercargill Lead Systems Innovator Stella O’Connor said discussions with business leaders in Southland had identified a strong desire for support and frameworks to help workplaces strengthen the mental health and wellbeing of staff. 

“Risks to mental wellbeing need to be identified and managed and the workplace has a responsibility to influence and change working conditions that affect mental wellbeing. 

“This framework provides an effective approach for business leaders to implement in their workplaces to make sure their staff are looked after and supported. 

“We know there are so many benefits to workplaces nurturing and protecting the mental health of their employers. This includes increased engagement and productivity, reduced absenteeism, fewer sick days, and general improvements in the workplace wellbeing culture. All of this impacts on a business’s bottom line.” 

Feedback on the approach has been highly positive, Stella said. 

“Every organisation that has run the process to date has reported that energy levels were high in the room, people felt they were being listened to, and the conversations continued well past the workshop.” 

To find out more about the framework visit https://forum.org.nz/resources/?category%5B%5D=7 or for a copy of the framework or to find out more about the workshop please contact Stella O’Connor at stella@activesouthland.co.nz 

Article added: Monday 31 January 2022