Mental health campaign helps businesses

A campaign launched by beyondblue has been designed to help businesses create mentally healthy workplaces.

The organisation’s fourth Heads Up campaign responds to a series of live job advertisements with a CV and cover letter that outline nine attributes of a healthy workplace.

With more than 12 million people spending one-third of their week at work and one in five employed Australians experiencing a mental health issue, the imaginative campaign enlivens the traditional hiring process by engaging managers and professional leaders in a surprising, yet simple way.

This year’s Heads Up campaign ensures HR professionals and business owners have the information and tools needed to foster a mentally healthy work environment — detailed via a CV and cover letter application, which defines the nine attributes of a healthy workplace.

beyondblue delivered the ‘mock’ job applications to companies currently hiring across industry segments including HR and recruitment, management and telecommunications, health and education, media and publishing, and finance and law.

“Heads Up takes an educational approach to workplace health — and this year is no different,” said beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman.

“We’re excited to see the recipients’ reactions to our ‘mock’ job applications from beyondblue. It’s an engaging and creative way to bring a serious and hugely important topic into conversation.

“Heads Up is for big and small businesses alike, from sole traders to multinational corporations. No matter the business size, the role of leaders is crucial to create and sustain positive mental health.

“Through Heads Up, we also have a host of online materials, backed by evidence-based information, tools and resources, to help businesses manage mental health and employee wellbeing.”

Heads Up has accessible resources for employers, employees, managers and small business owners.

To find out more, visit headsup.org.au or to download a copy of ‘Developing a workplace mental health strategy: A how-to guide for organisations’, visit bb.org.au/2n6qP7y.

Mental health professionals are available at the beyondblue Support Service via phone 24/7 on 1300 224 636 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3 pm–12 am AEST or email responses within 24 hours).

Image caption: Nine attributes of a healthy workplace. Credit: beyondblue.