Why 2020 has been a catalyst, for positive change in acceptance and action around mental health awareness in Australia.

There is no denying that 2020 has been a challenging year. The level of uncertainty, fast change and over-use of the word "unprecedented" left many with anxiety that created chaos and a breakdown of coping mechanisms, across both personal and work life.

However, there are some positives to come from the catalyst that is the pandemic, and I'm not talking about the two new flavours (dairy free) ice cream Ben and Jerry's released, although this was epic.

Instead, w'ere talking about true awareness, acceptance and action around mental health awareness in Australia. Especially within the workplace.

Wellbeing and mental health were once a taboo subject, deemed a compliance 'check box' that many were scared to tick due to feelings of being treated differently or losing their job. Covid-19 truly have highlighted that is really is okay to not be okay and that everyone is working through something, in this case it took a global pandemic to bring us closer together and start discussing the elephant in the room.

But to really drive long-lasting and not just a fleeting reactive change, leadership teams in every Aussie business need to be brave, vulnerable, open and empathetic for a mental wellness program to work and be integrated for success.

The odd yoga class here or there, a mental health day once a year and a poster with information for who to call is just not going to cut it anymore. It’s going to take a well thought out holistic wellbeing program.

1. Be vulnerable and encourage others

Lead with empathy, build trusting relationships with people needs to be reinforced through every initiative and action. This is where businesses need to be brave and sometimes think our side the box. Think team; each employee needs to be comfortable sharing how they’re feeling, are they able to ask for support, reach out, be vulnerable and are they encouraged to support others to do the same.

2. Inviting open and creating safe space

It all starts with a discussion. creating a safe space where a two-way dialogue is vital. And then, of course, action on what’s discussed to improve individual situations.

3. Frequency

Offering daily or weekly personal support from leaders is fundamental to the support of a holistic wellbeing program. Quarterly or annual check-in won’t suffice, it's too easy to lose momentum and effectiveness.

4. Reward Growth Mindset

Create awareness, language and actions that reward a growth mindset. Motivate employees and encourage them to open up, share and take action by providing an ongoing program.

5. Create an environment for proactive help seeking (early)

The quicker an issue is addressed, the better the chance to find a resolutions that will support both employee and employer.

Once a safe and trusted environment is created, it will build momentum and a positive culture (to be regularly nurtured) that will movements like the R U Okay so much more impactful and potentially life saving. It's amazing how three simple words ARE YOU OKAY can stop someone from feeling isolated, alone and disappearing into a negative self talk, creating a cycle of sabotage and further increasing anxiety levels. Showing you care, allows someone to breath and can help shift their mindset to reach out for help.

Lead with empathy, show support, give your team the skills to deal with stress and have professional help to hand, this allows the question asking “R U OK?” to become more meaningful. Having a holistic wellbeing program will educate your managers to help their teams navigate through the right process, creating a culture that supports early discussions.

Now, more than any year in our history have we needed to have a holistic approach for wellbeing and mental heath. By investing in your team and understanding how to get the best of out of them will be pay dividends in productivity.

Think outside the box, be brave and do the right thing for you and your employees.

Reach out for a free consultation, to find out more on what the right holistic wellbeing initiative can do for your business.