www.mentalhealth.org.nz
MEDIA RELEASE
August 8, 2008
ACC should be congratulated
(Upper Hutt, New Zealand) Mentally unhealthy workplaces are costing New Zealand businesses far more than the $250 spent
by ACC for staff on its employee wellbeing programme, says the Mental Health Foundation.
According to research by Southern Cross Healthcare, New Zealand businesses spend $1.7 billion on health care, with more
than half this figure - $940 million - relating to injury, illnesses, or absence from work.
"In New Zealand's tight labour market, it's clearly common sense to invest in the health and wellbeing of your
employees," says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation.
"Wellbeing programmes can reduce absenteeism, and prevent illness caused by stressful work environments, which increase
the chance of a person developing depression or anxiety."
Working Well is a Mental Health Foundation project that helps employers to create and maintain mentally healthy
workplaces. Its seminars focus on a range of topics including health and wellbeing, reducing workplace stress, effective
communication, and supporting staff.
"Our Working Well programme shows that employers cannot ignore the issue of mental health and stress in the workplace,"
Clements says. "With regards to the ACC, the question should not be, how much does a staff wellbeing programme cost; but
how much will it cost if you don't have one."
The Foundation's national Health Promotion Hui, taking place in Upper Hutt today, aims to change social, economic and
physical environments to improve health for all people.
"The ACC, like many employers the Foundation works with, have realised that healthcare schemes which only focus on
illness are counter-productive when a broader approach that focuses on health promotion will produce better results.
"They should be congratulated for making the wellbeing of their employees a top priority."
ENDS
Media enquiries and interview bookings:
Paula Taylor
Communications & Marketing Manager
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
021 300 594
SPOKESPERSON INFORMATION
Judi Clements, Chief Executive
Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand
Judi is an experienced Chief Executive in the NGO sector with a background in law, social policy, housing, local
government and management practice in the UK.
From 1991 - 2001, Judi was Chief Executive of Mind (the National Association for Mental Health), the UK's leading Mental
Health Charity. Judi led Mind through key developments, including promoting social inclusion through a multifaceted
campaign "Respect". She led the approach to quality and monitoring capacity building 212 local Mind providers in 2
countries.
Judi sat on several government advisory groups and in 1999 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate for services to mental
health and local government.
After working independently and as a Board member of a range of tertiary institutions and national agencies, Judi
relocated to New Zealand in 2005, to be Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation. She has a passion for the
development of organisations to promote social justice and the elimination of all forms of unfair discrimination.
ENDS