Construction is one of the hardest-hit sectors of late for liquidations, putting extra mental strain on workers. Photo \/ 123rf<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d agree with that, but if you look at what mental health is, mental health is the ability or inability for an individual to manage the stress in their daily lives. <\/p>\n
\u201cEvery person has different stresses, and I think what we can do now in the workplace is provide these free mental health supports that help people build their resilience and also have the roots to go and talk to someone if they feel the need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Labour had previously accused National of not investing enough in mental health services.<\/p>\n
Ringfenced funding for mental health and addiction services sits at $2.85 billion.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s been a 5% increase in calls to helplines such as 1737, according to Health NZ. Demand remained high for telehealth services and complexity and repeat-contact calls were also increasing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want support to be as accessible as possible and that\u2019s why bringing existing supports into the workplace in a way that\u2019s accessible will ultimately drive up mental health,\u201d Doocey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it\u2019s a win-win for individuals that improves their wellbeing and for business, having a more mentally well workforce drives up the productivity for their business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Business chambers, small businesses and other representatives worked with the Government on developing the tools.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost people say to me in their time of need, they reached out for support, found a system that was too fragmented and took too long to be seen. And what I want people to think is, \u2018hey, I can download this app now. I can actually call 1737 now. I can go and make an appointment and see someone in person\u2019,\u201d Doocey said. <\/p>\n
\u201cQuite often when we think about mental health and wellbeing, it might be someone sitting at work feeling a bit overwhelmed, feeling as though they\u2019re struggling with their job daily… [but now] there\u2019s support for them in real time, they can get the timely help they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Doocey said young people were driving change in the workplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great we live in a country that has broken down the barriers of stigma and discrimination.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re more open to reaching out and asking for support and quite often this is driven by the younger people in New Zealand. They have a vocabulary to talk about mental health that we never had at their age. <\/p>\n