wellbeing series
Our wellbeing webinar series for employers in partnership with AIA Australia has been curated with HESTA employers' needs in mind.
From awareness to action: practical strategies to help support your team’s mental health
Employers in the Australian health and community services sector are facing a unique challenge.
Factors like staff shortages, combined with physically and emotionally demanding work, can create challenges with maintaining good mental health and wellbeing.
We’ve seen these challenges lead to reduced workforce participation, increased incidence of insurance protection claims for psychological reasons, increased early access to super, and ultimately, lower balances at retirement.1
This is why it’s critical for organisations to consider how to move from building awareness of mental health challenges in the workforce, to taking action and creating meaningful organisational change.
Our webinar
In this webinar, our panel of experts will:
- share practical strategies for supporting employees who may be experiencing burnout, trauma or compassion fatigue, and the benefits of early intervention
- discuss the important role of leaders in modelling psychologically safe workplaces
- outline the benefits and services available to all HESTA members.
1 HESTA Work & Life Research 2024
Webinar details
When: Choose between Thursday 30 October at 12pm,
Thursday 30 October at 3pm, or
Friday 31 October at 11am (AEDT)
Location: Online
Cost: Free
About our speakers
Dr Michelle Olaithe | PhD | MClinPsych
Dr Michelle Olaithe is a clinical psychologist, researcher, author, and professional speaker whose work sits at the intersection of sleep, mental health, and neurodivergence. With over 25 peer-reviewed publications, $5.2M in competitive grant funding, and projects ranging from First Nations sleep health to innovative carer coaching programs, she translates cutting-edge science into practical strategies for individuals, workplaces, and communities. Michelle has shared her expertise on TEDx, national television, and radio, and is the clinical quality advisor for psychology at Health-Bright—a national telehealth clinic, helping people improve access psychological treatment.
Rachel Clements
Rachel Clements is co-Founder and Director of Psychological Services at the Centre for Corporate Health and Resilia, specialising in workplace mental health, psychosocial risk, and employee recovery. She has extensive experience consulting to leading law firms, banks, government, and high-performance organisations on issues such as burnout, respect at work, vicarious trauma, leadership, and resilience. A frequent media commentator and keynote presenter nationally and internationally, Rachel holds a Master’s in Organisational Psychology, is a registered Psychologist, APS member, and sits on the R U OK? think tank and CMHAA expert network.
Raphaelle Kennedy
Raphaelle Kennedy has over 20 years of experience leading innovative approaches to achieving change. Raph works in partnership with experts in different sectors to achieve life changing impacts for HESTA members, tackling solutions to systemic barriers that would otherwise inhibit their retirement outcomes. Raph led the discovery on HESTA's work to understand the impact of poor mental health on members' retirement savings and is now working with HESTA partners to improve mental health in our sector.
recorded webinars
Supporting cardiovascular health in the workplace
According to the Heart Foundation Australia, cardiovascular disease accounts for one in every four deaths. There is a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease among shift workers.
This webinar explored how prioritising physical and mental wellbeing can support cardiovascular health.
Our panel of experts:
- examined how employers can play a part in balancing out the risk factors for their employees
- shared the latest research and thought leadership on cardiovascular health
- engaged in a panel discussion answering questions from the audience.
Designing work to support employees
in the health and community services sector
In this webinar for employers, we looked at the steps organisations can take towards better work design to support employees through life’s challenges and improve mental health ― ultimately enabling them to remain in the workforce.
Our experts explored:
- research into work design and mental health in the health and community services industry
- research findings on barriers to women’s labour force participation
- what people need to stay connected to the workforce when experiencing crisis
- ideas for employers to create a healthy and productive work environment for all employees.
Mid-life health and wellbeing
To help you provide the support your employees may need to thrive at work despite their symptoms, in partnership with AIA Australia, we discussed how you can support employees experiencing menopause and perimenopause.
We were thrilled to welcome guest speakers Dr Marita Long (MBBS FRACGP DCH Cert of Sexual and Reproductive Health), General Practitioner and Board Director of Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) and Lauren Reynolds, Shared Value Manager from AIA Australia
In this webinar, we explored:
- Evidence-based education around menopause
- Strategies for supporting employees experiencing mid-life, to enable continued participation in the workforce and better job satisfaction.
Improving return to work outcomes for employees with breast cancer:
a webinar for HR leaders and people leaders
Returning to work is a key milestone for an individual recovering from breast cancer - positively affecting their quality of life, self-esteem and personal finances - and for their employer.
In partnership with AIA Australia, we explored:
- the breast cancer claims experience of HESTA members
- how you can provide support for your employees while they’re on leave and preparing to return to work
- the support programs offered through AIA Australia designed to improve health and return to work outcomes.
Supporting employees through financial stress
Presented in partnership with AIA Australia, this webinar explored how financial stress may affect your employees and how you can support them to feel in control of their finances and financially secure, helping to improve their overall wellbeing.
HESTA’s General Manager – Advice, Jen Harding was joined by AIA’s Shared Value Manager, Lauren Reynolds, to unpack:
- the impact of personal financial stress on employees
- studies linking financial and mental health challenges
- the impact of employees’ financial wellbeing on the workplace
- HESTA tools and services designed to help improve our members’ financial wellbeing.
The importance of social connection: a webinar for HR and people leaders
To help provide the critical support your employees may need, in partnership with our insurer AIA Australia, we hosted a webinar on the importance of social connection.
Hear from Dr Michelle Lim, leading scientific expert in loneliness and chair of Ending Loneliness Together, and Alison Mclean, AIA Australia's General Manager of Shared Value Partnerships, followed by a panel discussion.
Workplace resilience: helping rebuild resilience in teams under pressure
Presented in partnership with AIA Australia in March 2022, this recorded webinar is designed to help you support your employees’ mental health and (re)build their resilience — both of which may have been challenged during the pandemic.
Hear from Aaron Williams, Mindstar, and Rob Prugue, Chair of People Reaching out to People (PROP), followed by a panel discussion.
Enabling employees with chronic pain
In partnership with AIA Australia, our Enabling employees with chronic pain recorded webinar shares insights to help you better support your employees and help them contribute at their best when they’re able.
Our distinguished keynote speaker, Professor Lorimer Moseley AO, presents modern pain science and care in a nutshell, focussing on four key pain insights.