Being able to support, encourage and uplift family and community can be an important part of maintaining wellbeing. The five ways to wellbeing teach us that we can develop protective factors that help support us in tough times.
Here are some ways to keep learning, take notice of, be active with, connect to and give to our whānau.
Wellbeing Induction for our people
We have a robust Induction programme here at Otago Polytechnic. Staff and Learner Wellbeing is one of our organisation's top priorities. Ensuring our people understand our culture of wellbeing from the get-go pays dividends for us all.
An induction sets the scene for how an organisation’s culture works and how new staff members (kaimahi) become part of a new environment. Including wellbeing in the induction process helps
new employees to understand the support available to them and sets out how our workplace will
support their mental health and wellbeing at work.
Our Induction programme covers staff hauora in terms of making connections with people who can support plus we have learning opportunities within the programme.
This guide from Working Well provides a guideline on ensuring wellbeing is a focus of induction.
Team building opportunities
If you would like information on how to design an exercise, workshop or learning opportunity specific to your team, contact PeopleAndCulture@op.ac.nz.
SafemindED TM
SafeMINDed® is an evidence based mental health accreditation framework developed by Dr Suzie Bartlett and has been adapted with the assistance of Hayley Laughton, Katy Lockwood Anne Tacon, and Shaun Tahau who formed the SafeMINDed® Mental health Accreditation team.
Have you noticed an increase in learners presenting with poor mental health?
The development of the SafeMINDed® Mental Health Accreditation Framework was a direct response to staff concerns in relation to the increase in learners presenting with poor mental health at Te Pukenga | Otago Polytechnic. To understand if what we were experiencing in Otago was echoed nationally, doctoral research was undertaken by Suzie Bartlett both regionally at OP and nationally across six other polytechnics. This research was undertaken pre-COVID 19. The COVID pandemic has added yet another layer of stress and anxiety for learners and kaimahi, so the implementation of this mental health framework is not only timely but critical.
Otago Polytechnic attained SafemindED silver accreditation in 2023.
Contact James Kerr - Wellbeing and Safety Director to learn more.
Grief and Loss
Losing a loved one is never easy.
These resources have been created by people with lived experience of grief and loss and suicide bereavement. They offer tips on how to recognise and manage grief and information on where to find support.
You can also make contact with Steve Downey, Otago Polytechnic Chaplain to arrange a time to talk.
Rainbow Tick
We are proud to be the first ITP (Institute of Technology and Polytechnics) to have been awarded the Rainbow Tick certification.
Rainbow Tick certification is granted to organisations that complete a diversity and inclusion certification process. We continue to reaccredit the Rainbow Tick annually, ensuring that we are continuing our progress towards inclusivity.
Financial Planning
Having a good understanding of your current financial situation and your financial needs for the future is a practical thing you can do for your wellbeing.
We have support and professional development options to assist you to consider your financial plans or prepare for retirement.
Whānau Wellbeing
If the level of wellbeing in your family fluctuates - you are not alone.
You can hear the stories of NZers who have struggled and got through below:
For information, resources and learning options on how you can support your whānau to get through visit:
I Am Hope (Children and young persons mental health)
Access and Choice (Primary mental health and addiction services attached to GP practices)
Activities while at home
Sparklers at Home is a great little website that provides activities and tools for wellbeing to do at home with your tamariki.
Our furry friends
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Whānau may include your fur family. Read more here about our dogs on campus policy. |
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Pop -Up Markets
We love to support our learner whānau when they showcase their products in pop up stalls. These include horticulture, fashion, art, household and industry products and food. Keep a look out on Tūhono and our digital screens for upcoming events.
Taha whānau | Family and social
