Stellar’s Managing Director, Shaun McCambridge, sits down with Dan Hunt, former professional rugby league player and founder of The Mental Health Movement. They discuss how The Mental Health Movement has created mentally healthy workplaces and the necessary steps to achieve this. Dan draws on past experiences and shares a wealth of knowledge on navigating towards a better mental head space. 

Dan’s Highlights

1.00 - What partnerships with large scale organisations like BHP, Qantas, Glencore and many more generally entail

7:31 - How we can identify and understand mental health to the same capacity as physical fitness

12:12 - A proactive vs reactive organisation when it comes to achieving a mentally healthy workplace

18:10 - Dan’s best practices and tips for staying mentally well

24:15 - How to find the right person to help you on your journey 

27:45 - The vision for The Mental Health Movement and the exciting plans ahead

31.35 - How to find The Mental Health Movement   

What partnerships with large scale organisations like BHP, Qantas, Glencore and many more generally entail

Through collaborating with these organisations, ongoing relationships have been established. Through the different steps integrated throughout the Mental Health Movement’ s blueprint, many employees are now able to identify and understand how to reach out to someone who may be struggling with their mental health, ask the right questions and provide them with the support they require. 

How we can identify and understand mental health to the same capacity as physical fitness. 

It is important to recognise that it is not a diagnostic tool, it is a self-awareness tool that is not tangible. The Mental Health Movement have created the ‘Mental Health Continuum’ which integrates the traffic light system. We all have mental health; thus, we are on that continuum that can increase or decline at any hour, minute or second of the day. Having the continuum as a self- awareness tool will give some indication of what you need to put in place, and the support you may need to access to help you shift up in the continuum. It is important to take a proactive approach and use the continuum as a check-in tool. You do not have to do it on your own or suffer in silence. 

A proactive vs reactive organisation when it comes to achieving a mentally healthy workplace. 

An example of a proactive organisation is one who follows the guidelines in place by the Mental Health Movement, who has completed a mental health workplace audit, and formed a mental health committee that comprises of a mixture of individuals across all units. With the global pandemic and transition to work from home, we have seen the EAP uptake increase in 14%. Leaders who take part in the awareness and education training feel more confident in providing support to their crew. In turn, the crew members feel more confident to express how they are feeling because they are aware their leaders have had the training to provide valuable support. Some organisations take ADHOC approach, however from a business perspective, by taking a proactive approach, you will effectively retain staff members. 

Dan’s best practices and tips for staying mentally well

Dan is Bipolar which means he is dealing with extremes. However, Dan states that it is all about balance and maintaining a structure and routine. There is no control over how you wake up on the continuum, but you can control the actions put in place for yourself. Some of the best practices Dan has followed are: 

1. The recipe of 5 out of 7 days a week. Do specific actions 5 out of 7 days a week that can make Dan think or feel at least 5% better. 
2. Saltwater therapy
3. Writing down three intentions at the start of the day and write three things you were grateful for the previous day
4. Connect with colleagues or your support network to check if they have noticed any particular changes or can provide some honest feedback 
5. If you feel yourself disconnecting, you must reconnect 
6. Reach out to a psychologist or another confidential forum who can assist with creating tools to navigate towards a better mental state. 

How to find the right person to help you on your journey 

There are many outlets for accessing professional practitioners. Refer to the Mental Health Movement’s support network toolbox. Another outlet is Telehealth which has a platform called cyber clinic. Additionally, they have a personality questionnaire where the algorithm matches you with a practitioner who is suited to your personality. When looking to first start the support journey, you can go see your GP and ask to be referred to a specific person. It is highly recommended to get a mental health advocate. This person can assist with finding you the right professional and getting you the best support possible. 

The vision for The Mental Health Movement and the exciting plans ahead

The Mental Health Movement will continue creating, developing, and maintaining as many mentally supportive workplaces as they possibly can and do it well. The Mental Health Movement aim to look after their team so they can then provide the best support and offering. In early March, the team are looking at launching their psychosocial hazard risk assessment training and support program. The Mental Health Movement digital academy launched at the beginning of the first COVID lockdown and has allowed the team to develop their blueprint in a digital modem. 

How to find The Mental Health Movement   

You can contact The Mental Health Movement and Dan Hunt on the below social platforms. 

Website:  Mentalhealthmovement.com.au 

Email: info@mentalhealthmovement.com.au

Social media: mental_health_movement on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn