News

Mental health plays a big part in any organisation, of any size, in any industry. At any one time, one in six employees will be experiencing a mental health issue and failing to respond to this can cost employers up to $2,000 per employee per year.

Responding to mental ill health at work is the key driver behind Mindful Employer NZ, a new programme set to be launched in the Waikato region next week.

Click on the title of this news article to read this media release.

A return on investment analysis has demonstrated that an evidence-based supported employment approach (EBSE) to assist people with mental health conditions return to work has the potential to provide significant financial returns to government.

The analysis was undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the Wise Group in order to better understand the benefits of EBSE. The Wise Group is a strong advocate of EBSE which sees paid employment as a key goal for helping people get well, and stay well. Under EBSE, the employment consultant becomes a member of the support or clinical mental health team.

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Working together moves mountains.

For people with a mental illness, having a paid job is a key part of getting well and staying well.

It’s an underlying principle of a new primary care employment support initiative underway in Hamilton involving Workwise, the Wise Group’s own employment agency.

Midlands Health Network, Workwise and Waikato Work and Income have joining together to provide the service which will see two Workwise consultants working with six general practice teams in Hamilton.

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As an employer, would you know what to do if one of your staff experiences depression, anxiety or another mental health condition at work? The Waikato Times interviews Workwise chief executive Warren Elwin about how Workwise works with employers to support their employees while keeping their businesses running smoothly.

Peter is a successful Waikato businessman who has been to hell and back. At the worst of it, he found himself wandering in a park alone, mumbling to himself. He says the experience of hitting rock bottom has made him a stronger, better person. Waikato Times reporter Ali Tocker speaks with Peter about his experiences. 

Mental health is becoming a significant issue for New Zealanders. Not only is there the immense personal cost to people with experience of mental illness and their families, there is also a cost to employers and the Government, Workwise chief executive Warren Elwin says. The Waikato Times looks at the job Workwise does to make a difference.

Jake Shaw had a logistical dilemma – at short notice, he needed about 30 fully trained, experienced and professional truck drivers with heavy vehicle licences. The Waikato Times looks at how Workwise stepped in to save the day providing some excellent candidates off their books.

Warren Elwin, Workwise chief executive recently spoke at a symposium held in Wellington that brought together clinicians, employment practitioners, policy makers and funders with an interest in the significant role that employment takes in mental well being. Read Warren Elwin’s speech here.

Any Workwise employment consultant will tell you that people who experience mental illness want to work, and can work. But a growing body of international evidence is now proving that having a paid job is a key part of getting well and staying well…

Read this One Magazine article published September 2011 by the Wise Group. 

The final stage of the Government’s Future Focus welfare reforms requires all sickness beneficiaries assessed as being able to work 15 to 29 hours a week to look for suitable part-time work. New Zealand Herald reporter Simon Collins looks at current sickness benefit numbers and the planned process to support people into employment.

Phil Cave, Manufacturing Manager at Thames Timber Ltd, states matter-of-factly, “People with experience of mental illness that we employ are some of our best staff. There is everything to gain and nothing to fear.” Ruth Jackson interviews Phil for the Like Minds Like Mine quarterly magazine about the advantages of employing someone with experience of mental illness.

Katrina Bell still remembers the doctor at Waikato Hospital who effectively turned her away when her life collapsed. New Zealand Herald reporter Simon Collin’s looks at sickness and invalid benefit numbers in New Zealand - and the benefits that come from having a job.

"If you think work is a difficult place to be, try unemployment." The employment forum recently sponsored by Auckland District Health Board and Workwise was a full house. Read more about the event and view presentations held by Helen Lockett from The Sainsbury Centre of Mental Health.

Working together really does move mountains if Waikato Mental Health Employment Group’s Gaining Employment Outcomes cross sector training day was anything to go by. Read more about the event and view Dr Geoff Waghorn’s presentation.