News

Analysis shows strong financial returns from employment

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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New Zealand's first primary care partnership in evidence-based supported employment.

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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Workwise achieves WorkWell bronze accreditation

Workwise has been awarded a bronze accreditation in the WorkWell workplace wellness management programme. Click on the title of this news article to read more.

Specialists on employees with a mental health condition

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.

Routine of job helps in long recovery

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.

Mounting cost of coping with mental illness

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.

Workwise drivers saved the day on Hobbit job

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.

Employment for good mental health

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.

Latest published research papers by Workwise and the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research

Since 2008, Workwise has been participating in a series of research projects with the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research. The projects are designed to give a clearer picture of what works well in the area of supported employment for the mental health and addictions sector in New Zealand.

The latest papers in the series have recently been released. Click on the title of this news article to read more.

Paid work helps people get well and stay well

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.