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Health and Wellbeing. We've heard about it a million times. It is often raised by an employer along with lines like, “Your wellbeing is important to us” or “People are our first priority”, however their actions and decisions often say otherwise. I’ve felt a refreshing, genuine approach to how health and wellbeing is supported and promoted at CDSE. I am not the fittest person at CDSE, and I don’t think I know everything or have arrived at a peak mental state, but I am passionate about health and wellbeing, and encouraging others to look after themselves, and look out for each other. Therefore, I was glad to take on the role as Chair of this subcommittee at CDSE.
The purpose of the Health & Wellbeing Subcommittee is to oversee, represent and promote health and wellbeing, and provide support, tools and material for CDSE staff, their families, our clients, and our wider network. This is in line with the company vision of Creating Extraordinary Communities. The subcommittee members are encouraged to promote this vision, which involves a couple of key themes:
- People being present with their families (true work/life balance); and
- People living their passion.
Currently the Health & Wellbeing Subcommittee is:
- Booking into a Government funded online healthy lifestyle program;
- Rolling out and promoting the use of exercise apps in the team;
- Checking in with current and old colleagues and friends – ‘real’ conversations;
- Sending weekly bulletins with tips, encouragement, and plenty of dad jokes; and
- Having honest and creative chats about what really makes us tick/what we want to do.
As well as the above, we have also engaged Uprise as our EAP provider at CDSE. Uprise is a great online health, wellbeing and psychology service, and I’m really impressed with it. What I see that is different about Uprise is their focus on a proactive approach to mental health. Apart from the usual online and phone counselling services, Uprise also provides access to weekly webinars and online training modules in areas such as stress and fatigue management, resilience, mindfulness and sleep. The role of the subcommittee is to continue to promote regular engagement with Uprise, and encourage the team to share what we’re all getting out of it.
I’ve taken full advantage of the Uprise service and learnt a lot. My biggest hurdle was thinking I didn’t need to talk to a psychologist because “I’m fine”. I took the plunge and found it’s just like taking your car in for a service – it’s something to be done regularly, just to make sure everything is in working order. They are professionals and helped me see how my mind works, and a different perspective to problems and struggles.
I highly recommend that other businesses are proactive about mental health, and health and wellbeing in general, and encourage people to share and talk about it. We are all responsible for the health and wellbeing of our community around us. The current COVID-19 situation is a reminder for all of us, now more than ever, to keep in touch with old and new friends, colleagues and family, as you never know what they’re battling.
