Last Thursday I completed 6 talks in five different cities in nearly as many days. It was a blur of planes, taxi’s & hotels. It was all part of a ‘Face to Face’ road show put on by CommInsure (the insurance arm of Commonwealth Bank) for financial advisers.
It was a series of talks to highlight the effect of mental health issues on the work place, the economy and how insurers can aid in helping people recuperate and get back to work.
I spoke between two managers from CommInsure who spoke about how mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety cost the Australian economy approximately $20 billion per year and the general knock on effect of that staggering (Australian Bureau of Statistics) statistic.
I then spoke of my own experience of the Black Dog, what I learnt from it and how I bought it to heal. I always stress that I’m not there to depress anyone, that it isn’t a ‘pity party’, that it’s really a story of overcoming adversity and how good can come from bad if we’re prepared to learn from it.
Having depression is probably the worst experience of my life but it was also my greatest teacher. I would never wish it upon my worst enemy but I wouldn’t change anything of my past. It’s part of who I am, it’s part of my creativity, it is the constant reminder of how I now manage, live and enjoy my life.
After I spoke, the claims manager got up and spoke about 4 case studies of how CommInsure got various people back to work after facing different types of mental health issues. I have to say, I was really impressed by the support these people got. They have a tactical group of mental health professionals at CommInsure on staff to help people get back to work. Among other things they liaise with doctors, psychologists & psychiatrists, they can team people up with personal trainers to help get them into shape and they also get them prepared for re-entering the work force (if they’ve been off) by practicing interview techniques and so forth. CommInsure has indicted that a significant percentage of their claims are now mental health related.
After each talk we had drinks and nibbles and many people thought what CommInsure was doing was very brave. I would suggest that rather than brave, it’s an absolute necessity, with around 50 people taking their lives every week in Australia alone, we need to have these conversations. Yet, these conversations needn’t be heavy or depressing, I personally prefer ‘inspiring’.
Prevention in my mind is the greatest cure; if people half know what to expect should they run into the stormy waters of mental health and more importantly know what to do and how to ask for help; half the job is done.
Although this presentation was serious in subject matter there was also a lot of laughter and the get-together afterwards verged on a celebratory affair of people conversing openly and honestly about what’s truly important in their lives.
I think CommInsure were incredibly forward thinking and showed amazing leadership in this arena and it’s what every major corporation should be doing if we’re at all interested in kick starting important conversations, saving lives while bringing down that $20 billion statistic.
Talking about mental health issues isn’t always easy but the more we practice, the easier it becomes. Because in the end, if there is one thing that unites us all is the simple desire to have peace of mind – it isn’t too much to ask.
Woof woof!!!
PS If you want any further information about the ‘Black Dog’ please go to www.blackdoginstitute.org.au
