Everything you need to know about R U OK? Day

Australians are encouraged to ask their friends, family, colleagues, or acquaintances one fundamental question – ‘are you ok?’ Everything you need to know about R U OK? Day will be discussed by us. Above all, this day normalises a conversation that can be challenging. Still, some doubt whether the workplace is the right place to have those conversations.

​R U OK? Day allows employers to educate their team members about the importance of checking in on their colleagues and foster a culture where they feel comfortable answering honestly. Therefore, we have compiled everything you need to know about R U OK? Day to ensure your team members are mentally healthy.

1. Have a mental health policy
An organisation’s mental health policy is an opportunity to convey to team members that their wellbeing is a priority. In addition, building a safe and healthy workplace requires acknowledging and promoting mental health. A mental health policy, for example, should highlight signs of mental illness at work, steps to create a mentally healthy working environment, and provide information about the help available within the organisation.

2. Get an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
For team members to receive external professional mental health support, organisations must have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). As a result, team members have access to confidential and qualified counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In this way, EAP increases the morale and productivity of all team members.

3. Promote learning
Personal and career development are common characteristics of mentally healthy workplaces. In other words, the lack of opportunity to learn new skills can quickly make team members despondent in their jobs. In addition to other external factors, this can significantly impact mental health. Talk to your team members about where they would like their team to grow or where they would like to be in the next year or two.

4. Provide positive reinforcement
Providing rewards and recognition to your team members is an essential part of engaging them. Still, it is also helpful for people struggling with mental health issues. Whenever possible, use positive reinforcement when providing feedback. By doing so, employees also feel psychologically safe and know it will not be a problem if they make a mistake.

Get In Touch
VeiraMal Consulting is an expert in putting Employee Assistance Programs in place. Thus, getting in touch with us can help you go above and beyond your team members’ expectations. You can view all of our services and packages here. 

The information contained in this blog is general in nature. If you are unsure how this applies to you, please contact us at VeiraMal Consulting. Our consultants will be happy to guide you through this.