Based in Melbourne, Rae employs more than a decade of experience to develop, design, and deliver workplace mental health & wellbeing programs. She works with a broad range of organisations, industries, & settings with a special skill in crisis and suicide response. A qualified counsellor trained in Rogerian theory – Rae draws on her authenticity, genuineness, and empathy to create environments of trust and safety. She has a focus on men and boy’s health, offering confidential in person and online sessions for individuals, couples and groups. Well known for her dedication and commitment to inspiring change in the men’s health space, she believes a male friendly approach could achieve positive outcomes for everyone.
We are delighted that Rae will be bringing her knowledge to London this September and speaking as part of our Wellbeing at Work Summit UK.
We caught up with her to find out how she’s feeling in the run up to the summit.
Hi Rae, we are thrilled you will be speaking at our Wellbeing at Work Summit UK in September. Our first and most important question is, how are you doing today?
I’m caring for my health and wellbeing today by taking time to joyfully attend to
administrative tasks and thoughtfully catch up on communications.
As a leader, what are the main challenges you are facing when it comes to employee wellbeing?
I’m based in Melbourne, Australia and consider myself a leader in the men’s health sector
through private practice, community, workplace and advocacy. I predominately work in
high risk, mostly male, heavy industry organisations where stigma and lack of external
resources exclude men from engaging in male friendly support.
What strategies have you seen developing over the past 6 months, both internally and externally, that are moving the dial on wellbeing in the workplace?
Here in Australia, 2023 has seen changes to the Model WHS Regulations by Safe Work
Australia to introduce psychosocial risks and hazards. The commencement of the
amendment to the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 requires workplaces to
implement control measures for psychosocial risks. There is a strong appetite for
organisations to adopt safe practice in this space.
Why is employee wellbeing so important to you personally?
Simply, most of the world population spend their waking hours at workplaces. I’m inspired
by promoting kindness, care, compassion and respect as foundation to sustainable
governance, policy and process – the lifesaving outcomes are immeasureable and costs
very little.
Led by Beyond Blue and PwC, I was fortunate to be a key member of the engagement
team that launched a world first workplace mental health program, Heads Up in 2014 and
became inspired by this research based, ROI, strategy. These learnings and insights
continue to underpin how we address workplace mental health, safety and wellbeing in
Australia (and other parts of the world) today.
What are you most looking forward to about the Summit in September?
Networking with and learning from people from other parts of the world through different
perspectives, lenses and experiences. Also being able to share my own, from down under.
Visiting my son who lives in London will also be a highlight!
Tell us, what is your vision for the future workplace, in terms of engagement, health and wellbeing?
For organisations to prioritise creating environments that support good mental health,
safety and wellbeing from a strong governance perspective. Promoting accountability for
all people in workplaces to contribute to this (not just the responsibility of organisations,
leaders and managers).
What areas do you think employers should be focused on over the next 12 months?
Ensuring clear, visible and sustainable governance, process and framework for employees
to be onboarded into and kept safe within. Ensuring due diligence through regulators and
organisations demonstrating best practice.
How has your organisation been leading the way?
I’m self-employed and manage across all segments of men’s health, including a large
segment in workplace settings.
My approach is egalitarian, and prioritises diversity, equity and inclusion as a philosophy,
rather than just an action.
Dedicated advocacy within my roles at the Australian Men’s Health Forum and Global
Action on Men’s Health focuses on creating better lives for men and boys through gender
specific policy making – which, in turn impacts the health and wellbeing of men in
workplace settings.
Rae will be speaking in London at the Wellbeing at Work Summit UK which takes place live and in-person in London and Manchester with an additional day of virtual sessions too. Further details on the Summit can be found here.
