ARN’s Health & Wellness Month, rolled out across the entire month of October, has been committed to supporting its staff during these challenging times and beyond.
According to Beyond Blue, three million Australians live with anxiety or depression, and research shows this issue has only been exacerbated by the tough times brought by COVID-19.
A Monash University study conducted from April to May 2020 found that almost 50% of Australian respondents had experienced at least one Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom, including but not limited to stress, anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts, associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
For ARN staff the month comprised of a calendar of virtual events across October, including live speaker sessions, podcasts, Ted Talks, exercise sessions and much more, designed to empower and motivate staff to take control of their physical and mental health.
The content of the initiative was inspired by energist Sean Hall’s workshop, Boost Your Energy & Light Up Your Brain, which ARN staff participated in earlier this year.
Each week, the program theme focussed on one of Sean’s four ‘F’s’, being Fuel (exercise, sleep and food), Fire (purpose, passion, goals), Feelings (kindness and gratitude) and Focus (focus on what matters).
ARN’s People & Culture and Social teams developed the energising and uplifting program for 520 employees nationally, sessions took place virtually and at convenient times. Staff were encouraged to enrol in any sessions they like throughout the month, with prizes up for grabs for getting involved.
To celebrate Health & Wellness Month, ARN also launched a brand-new digital radio station on iHeartRadio, The Get Up with staff song requests of hits that lift them. Staff, along with anyone interested in health and wellness, are invited to tune in.
ARN’s People & Culture Operations Manager Belinda Hilton, who is led the initiative, said “We were excited to be able to offer Health & Wellness Month to ARN employees right across Australia.
“With so many people experiencing feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, lack of motivation and poor self-esteem as a result of changes in this new COVID world, there has never been a more critical time to nurture physical and mental health.
“It was important to us to be inclusive, with sessions to suit everyone and topics including getting a great night’s sleep, time management, live meditation, laughing yoga, Batyr Mental Health, group personal training, nutrition, finding your purpose, and much more. There was even a live Q&A with our ARN on-air talent who discussed how they stay on top of their own health and wellbeing.
“It was rewarding to see so many of our ARN colleagues embrace the initiative and participate in the sessions. Our aim is to offer a sense of connection for our staff during these tough times, and equip them with the tools they need to best take control of their lives, their physical health and fitness, and their mental health.”
CEO Ciaran Davis said, “We’ve got great people working at ARN, and we are especially proud of this initiative which was designed to support our staff during what has been a very challenging year.
“Our intention with Health & Wellness Month was to offer our colleagues a safe place to boost their health and fitness, to start conversations about mental health and encourage them to reach out for support, and to learn valuable coping and life management skills.
“We firmly believe a wellbeing strategy is critical for the overall health and happiness of staff, and particularly for our friends and colleagues in Melbourne who were hugely impacted by stage 4 lockdown.
“Maintaining good physical and mental health is also linked to boosting productivity in the workplace so, from a business perspective, we also see tremendous value in employing this initiative.”
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