Every year Southern Cross Protection focuses on mental health for September including involvement with R U OK? Day.
As a company, we are committed to actively encouraging strategies and initiatives for the promotion of good mental health as we understand that the security industry is at particular risk of injury and illness due to the nature of our work. This year, the pandemic has brought an extra layer of complexity to mental health, particularly for our Victorian family.
This is why it is incredibly important to us that we raise awareness and encourage our men (and our women) to take their mental health seriously, seek help early, and support their mates in the industry.
2020’s mental health and R U OK? campaign is involving our workers in the making of a video showcasing our diverse workforce saying R U OK? in their native languages, distributing and encouraging a company-wide well-being self-assessment so our people can check if they are personally ‘ok’, sending out support packs to our Victorian colleagues, arranging workplace R U OK? toolbox get-togethers (both remote and face-to-face) to encourage connection, promoting R U OK? on our internal software platform, and continuing our weekly Lockdown Newsletters to staff describing stuff you can do for fun.
These activities are also supported by our ongoing EAP service and Mental Health Policy and Procedures.
You’ve got what it takes to ask.
Please take the opportunity to connect with colleagues, friends, and family, and ask them: ‘R U OK?’
But there’s more to say after that. If someone says they’re not OK, make time to listen, encourage action and check-in. Watch the following video for some great tips:
For support at any time of day or night, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If life is in danger, call 000 or go directly to emergency services.
For more info, visit ruok.org.au.
