Six steps to help boost mental wellbeing in the workplace

With ongoing restrictions and changes to working conditions due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important to ensure workplaces are supporting and promoting wellbeing. To help you with this, the OzHelp team has shared six ways you can support wellbeing in your workplace whether you are on a site, on the farm, or in the truck.

For Mental Health Month and National Safe Work Month, we challenge your workplace to see how many you can complete this October.

1. Check in regularly
   Whether you are working remotely or in a socially distanced environment it is hugely important that we take the time to check in with one another. This is especially important for industry’s that have been affected by the COVID-19 restrictions such as construction and transport. As a workmate, you could start the conversation by asking “are you really okay?”, listening carefully and finding further support if needed.
2. Look after yourself
   Looking after yourself (self care) is a fundamental way of caring for your wellbeing. Practising this at work can be as simple as taking your lunch break away from the job. Try spending 15-minutes switching off, by stretching or taking a quick walk.
3. Stay social
   Workplaces can offer social environments for employees to connect, catch up, and have a laugh. It is important that we still create these environments even when facing restrictions. Consider organising a catch up that is socially distanced or online, it could provide a great opportunity to share some team wins with each other.
4. Be aware of schedules and workloads
   With restrictions interfering with project and delivery schedules, especially for construction and transport industries, it is important to be mindful of additional pressures.  Make sure you offer backup where you can and provide your workmates with the support they need to get the job done safely.
5. Implement an internal Peer Support Network
   A Peer Support Network is where key workers receive training in the appropriate methods to support workmates who may be experiencing a tough time. Peer Supporter Training is a great way for workplaces to be proactive about their employee’s mental health and wellbeing and is one just of the many training programs OzHelp provides.
6. Share support services
   If your workplace has an Employee Assistance Program or other support avenues available, it is important that everyone is made aware. If this is not the case, perhaps you can share a list of free services like Beyond Blue, Lifeline, Black Dog Institute, MensLine, QLife or the Suicide Call Back Service. Additionally, OzHelp provides a range of support options to building and construction workers and has also developed a specific support program for truck drivers called Health in Gear.

To learn more about creating psychologically safe environments in the workplace check out our Mental Health Month webinar series here or view OzHelp’s workplace mental health training programs here.

If you or someone you know needs support, there are plenty of ways to get help or connect with someone for a chat. To start a conversation, call us on 1300 694 357 (9 am- 5 pm, Mon – Fri, AEST).

For 24/7 support, reach out to Lifeline: 13 11 14, Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or the Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467