Huffer boss takes stand on mental health awareness

Love it or loathe it - the average person will spend a third of their life - or around 90,000 hours at work.

So making sure that time is spent at a company which looks after your mental health is essential for your overall well being.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week with workplaces around New Zealand making sure employees know where to go, and how to ask for mental health support.

Streetwear brand Huffer has been officially involved in mental health awareness for two years.

Last year the company released its "People Presence" range that founder Steve Dunstan, said aimed to "inspire conversation and get people thinking about mental health."

A portion of profit is donated to the Mental Health Foundation.

But Dunstan said the company has looked after the mental health of its staff since it launched 22 years ago.

Staff get their birthday off and there are development workshops and support offered for mental health.

"One of our company mottos is "Got Your Back" which is what we wanted to make clear from the start," Dunstan said.

The Britomart store also hosts Coffee Fridays where anyone can come in for a chat, coffee, music and donuts.

"It's an open door, there are no invites or exclusions, we just want people to come in and connect.

"We are very big on social sustainability," he said.

This month, for Mental Health Awareness Week, Huffer released a single with Kiwi artists Illbaz, Diggy Dupe, Bailey Wiley and Spycc from Swidt.

Other companies held workshops, meditation and yoga sessions, had guest speakers or pushed out their top mental health tips.

Sir John Kirwin, as an ambassador for Westpac, put a top tip video for wellbeing on Facebook each day.

He suggested taking time, being present, putting down devices and doing something "just for you" each day to help with mental health.

At NZME, health safety and wellness specialist Frana Potter said staff were encouraged to make time for physical activity during the day.

The company also released a host of wellness initiatives throughout the year that included informative presentations, fitness challenges, healthy eating and a range of health and well-being discounts negotiated exclusively for staff.

NZME staff also had access to BeneHub, a website hosted by Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider Benestar.

That service offered informative articles, self-assessments, coaching programs, interactive learning modules, online meditation, stress release, financial advice and more.

Benestar CEO Julie Cressey said New Zealand employers were improving each year with how they communicated to staff about mental health.

She said there had been marked growth in the number of companies with Benestar, and also the services offered, since the Christchurch terror attacks in March.

"Christchurch was the tipping point for a lot of people, it resonated and people sought support," Cressey said.

"We did more on site support after Christchurch because companies wanted ease of access to services."

Mental Health Foundation's top tips for wellness at work:

Connect: Strengthening relationships with others and feeling close to and valued by others, including at work, is critical to boosting wellbeing.

Keep Learning: Being curious and seeking out new experiences at work and in life more generally positively stimulates the brain.

Be Active: Being physically active, including at work, improves physical health and can improve mood and wellbeing and decrease stress, depression and anxiety.

Give: Carrying out acts of kindness, whether small or large, can increase happiness, life satisfaction and general sense of wellbeing.

Take Notice: Paying more attention to the present moment, to thoughts and feelings and to the world around, boosts our wellbeing.
WHERE TO GET HELP:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.

OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:

• 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• https://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757 or TEXT 4202