Mental wellbeing in workplaces; local communities; digital platforms and with young people
Held in November 2020, the purpose of the Metro North Board Community Engagement Forum was to consider consumer and community perspectives on how Metro North Health incorporates mental wellbeing into our strategies, plans and day-to-day interactions with patients, colleagues and partner organisations.
The two-hour forum included four main activities:
- Presentations of a consumer co-design initiative titled “Conversations in Mental Health” as well as a panel of subject matter experts offering different perspectives on mental wellbeing
- Table discussions focused on four settings for promoting mental wellbeing: workplaces; local communities; digital platforms and with young people
- Morning tea and networking
- A support and reflection session facilitated by Metro North’s staff psychologist.
Members of the Metro North Board, the Board Community Advisory Committee, Executives and Metro North Engagement Team delivered the event. Trust with community partners was built through genuine co-design where the Board Community Advisory Committee developed and approved the theme. Multiple conversations were had with subject matter experts to provide context prior to their presentations at the Forum.
On the day, 9 tables of consumers, subject matter experts, Metro North Board, community partners and Metro North Executives explored the topic of mental wellbeing. Each table had a designated engagement lead facilitator who asked two open-ended questions: ‘how do we create safety to talk about our mental wellbeing?’ and, ‘what could we do differently to make mental wellbeing a priority?’ To add nuance to this engagement, at the conclusion of the forum each participant had the option to write a short anonymous message to the Metro North Board.
Support was provided to participants, before, during and after the event. Individual contact was made with each consumer prior to the event to ensure they were prepared for the workshop. Staff who facilitated tables were provided with education, training and peer support to perform this activity. Finally, after the workshop was completed a reflection session was facilitated by a staff psychologist.
The feedback gathered during the forum was compiled and contributed to strategies in the Metro North Health Service Strategy 2021 – 2026 – living healthy and well focus area. Many specific solutions were identified by participants and these included:
- Make wellbeing a regular agenda item for staff meetings
- Train clinical staff in how to manage patient mental wellbeing
- Slow down pace to explore ideas more thoroughly
- Introduce mental wellbeing first aid officers who are skilled in providing a first response.
Four major actions were identified to create the safety to talk about mental wellbeing. These included: Tackling stigma – it is ok to not be ok; working to create a culture of acceptance without judgement where people tolerate difference and avoid labels; improve communication and understanding of lived experiences of mental health; then support, connection and follow through for both staff and consumers. Leadership, education, coordination and universal access with no one left behind were the four enablers of the actions.