Breaking the Mental Health Stigma: How Companies Can Support Employee Well-Being
Frog Recruitment
Find the job you love with Frog Recruitment in 2024. 2023 NZ Excellence in Candidate and Client Service Award Winners.
In today’s professional environment, mental health is a critical issue that more organisations are addressing. With the pandemic triggering an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression among workers, mental well-being has become a core focus for businesses.
The stigma around mental health still exists despite these conversations becoming more common. One prevalent misconception is that mental health struggles are a sign of weakness. Fear of judgment and concerns over job security often prevent employees from seeking the support they need. To counter these issues, companies are investing in mental health training and resources to promote a culture of openness and support.
In a recent Market Update, Queensland Managing Director, Ben Wheeler, was joined by Co-Founder of the Mental Awareness Foundation, Tudor Vasile, to discuss the challenges surrounding mental health in the workplace. Tudor shared the origins of the Mental Awareness Foundation, noting that it started 15 years ago after the tragic loss of two friends to suicide. “Back then, no one was talking about mental health,” Tudor recalled. “It was so taboo, and the stigma was terrible.”
"There is often the misconception that it is unprofessional, and as a result, people don’t want to download their problems onto colleagues or managers."
The foundation’s mission is to get the conversation started, with initiatives like the Walk for Awareness, an event that brings together thousands of participants every year to raise mental health awareness. Ben highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces in the workplace, where employees can feel comfortable sharing their mental health struggles without fear of judgment. “People often see mental illness as a sign of weakness, but it’s okay to have a mental illness, and it’s okay to speak up,” Tudor explained.
Another key point raised during the discussion was... [ Read full insights on our website ]
Is the light at the end of the tunnel for Wellington's employment market?
In 2024, New Zealand's job market has experienced significant fluctuations, with Wellington facing some of the most challenging conditions. A combination of high inflation, a cost-of-living crisis, and redundancies has affected businesses and individuals alike. While these trends are prevalent nationwide, Wellington’s situation is unique due to its reliance on the public sector and recent government directives that have intensified the impact on the region.
The Government's cost-cutting measures, which included directives for the public sector to reduce spending and encourage employees to return to the office, have led to widespread redundancies. According to the latest statistics, as of the beginning of October, the total number of public sector job cuts reached 6,843, with the potential for even more layoffs in the coming months. This wave of job losses has created a sense of uncertainty and instability among professionals in the capital, affecting not only those directly employed in the public sector but also the wider business community that relies on the public sector’s economic stability.
Wellington, often regarded as the heart of New Zealand’s governmental operations, is now grappling with a “perfect storm” of economic challenges. The once-thriving employment scene has been shaken, with even iconic institutions feeling the strain. However, despite the difficult circumstances, there is hope that the market has reached its lowest point and might soon begin to recover.
“It's been a tough year across the country with businesses and individuals battling the effects of inflation and the resulting cost of living crisis, redundancies, and the return of the brain drain.”
During a recent Mahi Media Market Update, Frog Recruitment New Zealand’s Managing Director, Shannon Barlow , addressed the current situation in Wellington. Her insights provided a closer look at how businesses and... [ Read full insights on Frog Recruitment's website ]
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