Downer announces collaboration with Mental Health Foundation for staff

Downer New Zealand Ltd has announced that it is partnering with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand to enhance the company's mental health initiatives for their employees.

Jan O'Neill, Downer's executive general manager of people and culture, said the partnership will include "workshops to give our people more tools, plus guidance on how to speak about mental illness and mental health issues safely, accurately, and respectfully."

"We want the Downer whānau to know we’re here to help anyone who is struggling," O'Neill said in a statement.

Currently, Downer NZ is offering training and support network that is accessible to the company's employees. The company also has awareness initiatives on the importance of taking care of mental wellbeing, as well as programmes to give employees the skill of confidently checking on their colleagues.

Steve Killeen, Downer NZ chief executive officer, said they implemented such programmes to "change the conversation around mental health" and to support their staff and their families.

He added that with their partnership with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, they will see the expansion of their existing mental health programmes and awareness activities.

"This partnership will benefit our 10,000 people and the broader community," said Killeen in a statement.

Read more: How to boost your staff morale

Meanwhile, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand CEO Shaun Robinson described their collaboration with Downer as "fantastic," saying that the company is also a strong "fellow travellers" in terms of positive mental health promotion.

"Downer's commitment not only provides us with much needed resources to do our vital work, it is also encouraging and uplifting for our team to have such a great supportive relationship. We look forward to more collaboration in the future," said Robinson.

Downer has been recognised by the Mental Health First Ais Australia and New Zealand as a "Gold Mental Health First Skilled Workplace," which is given to employers who invest in the development of mental health first aid skills to their staff.

The topic of mental health in workplaces has become even more relevant with COVID-19 spreading across the world, triggering isolation, burnout, and anxiety among employees as they are forced to adapt overnight to changes brought about by the pandemic.

Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post and Thrive Global, previously told HRD that HR is uniquely placed to make an impact on leadership teams and stressed employees.

"Taking care of your employees is now essential for the business. Essential for leaders. There’s a new urgency to the work HR leaders are doing, because unless firms make a concerted effort to inspire and uplift their struggling staff, we're going to have a mental health crisis on our hands," Huffington said.