Ignoring mental health in the workplace not an option

Ignoring mental health in the workplace not an option

Mental health plays a big part in any organisation, of any size, in any industry.

At any one time, one in six employees will be experiencing a mental health issue and failing to respond to this can cost employers up to $2,000 per employee per year.

Responding to mental ill health at work is the key driver behind Mindful Employer NZ, a new programme set to be launched in the Waikato region next week.

A new initiative for New Zealand, Mindful Employer NZ is a programme dedicated to supporting employers and raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues in the workplace.

Thursday 18 October marks the official launch of the initiative in New Zealand and during the next few months, Waikato businesses will be invited to join the programme. By signing up to the Mindful Employer NZ charter, employers get access to advice around mental health issues, and in implementing the principles of the charter. They will also receive subsidised mental health awareness staff training.

Warren Elwin, Workwise chief executive is excited about the potential of this programme. “Ignoring mental health issues in the workplace is not an option for employers. By not handling mental wellbeing effectively it can have a negative influence on the health, productivity and morale of a business. The actions required to manage mental health issues well are not complicated and it’s good to see an initiative dedicated to supporting employers in this area.

Funded in part by the Ministry of Social Development and supported by Platform Trust and Workwise, the Mindful Employer NZ programme will initially be piloted in the Waikato region with the intention of establishing a national initiative in the near future.

The Mindful Employer NZ launch details are:
Date: 18 October 2012
Time: 5pm
Venue: University of Waikato, Academy of Performing Arts, Knighton Road, Gate 2B

Mindful Employer NZ was inspired by the United Kingdom Mindful Employer initiative. The programme is already well established in the United Kingdom and Australia. In the United Kingdom alone, more than one and a quarter million people work for employers who have signed the charter.

www.mindfulemployer.co.nz

About Platform
Platform is a national mental health and addiction network of community organisations and others that believe the recovery of individuals depends on an evolving and transforming mental health and addictions service system.

About Workwise
Workwise is an employment agency for people with experience of mental health issues or addiction. We help employers gain and keep valuable employees by supporting people with mental health issues to return to work and to stay in work.

Workwise is part of the Wise Group – New Zealand’s largest largest non-government mental health organisation. The Group works with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, of all ages and from all walks of life.

ENDS

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