Smithfield, Australia (PressExposure) November 02, 2010 -- Crown Relocations offices across Australia participated in 'R u OK? Day' on Thursday, 7th October 2010, as part of their Wellness program (W.E.L.L. - We Excel at Living Longer). While physical health is an important component of overall wellness, it is also vital to have strong mental health to be able to bounce back from difficult situations.
R u OK? Day is an annual Australian event which aims to raise awareness and break down the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. Melissa O'Connor, Human Resources Manager commented "the day is not about becoming a counselor, it is simply about asking our colleagues, family and friends, "are you OK?" and knowing the steps that they may be able to take if they're not ok."
This initiative is about recognising that as we spend a lot of time in the workplace, staff should be provided with the opportunity and the encouragement to maintain connections with friends, loved ones or colleagues. Because if someone's doing it tough, the simple act of asking them "Are you OK?", can help stop little problems getting bigger.
R U OK? at Work has 4 key objectives. They are to help employees feel good about themselves by connecting with, and supporting others; increase connection and support within organisations; through that connection and support, reduce workplace stress and depression; through reducing workplace stress and depression, help reduce Australia's suicide rate.
Stress and depression are the largest contributors to lost productivity in Australia, directly costing employers an estimated $10.11 billion a year. In addition, workplace counselling for anxiety and stress has increased 68% and 76% respectively since 2007.
In the four weeks prior to R u OK? Day, Crown's human resources team ran a campaign based around mental health and what R u OK? Day stands for. This included regular email updates, posters around the office and warehouse, awareness sessions on the Employee Assistance Program, and watching short videos about R u OK? Day and mental health.
Branches celebrated the day with breakfast, morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea, to allow employees some time together, away from their busy work areas to check in with their colleagues to make sure they're ok. Most office staff wore red and yellow casual clothes, to tie in with the colours of Crown's wellness program (W.E.L.L.).