The annual campaign to start meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing has returned, with brokers encouraged to make use of new resources.
Brokers are being encouraged to take the opportunity to check in with colleagues, friends, and loved ones on R U OK? Day, the annual campaign designed to highlight how a meaningful conversation can make a difference in someone’s life.
The annual initiative encourages Australians to stay connected, look out for one another, and offer support to those who may be going through a difficult time.
For brokers and their teams, R U OK? Day can be a valuable opportunity to make wellbeing part of the workplace conversation.
Businesses can get involved by organising a team morning tea, sharing R U OK? resources, encouraging colleagues to check in with each other, or simply making time for a conversation.
Whether it’s a coffee, team activity, or simple check-in, getting involved can help create a workplace where people feel comfortable talking about how they’re really going.
These calls were supported by Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) CEO Anja Pannek, who highlighted the responsibility and pressure that can impact brokers.
“Brokers support their clients through complex financial decisions, sustained cost-of-living pressures, changing interest rates and periods of uncertainty. At the same time, brokers are managing their own businesses, teams and personal responsibilities,” she said.
“These pressures can build, which is why it is so important that everyone in our industry knows that support is available and that it is okay to ask for help.
“Nearly 300 people joined our webinar with Beyond Blue this week, which shows there is a real demand for practical information about mental health and wellbeing.”
Pannek also said brokers are not expected to be mental health professionals, financial counsellors or crisis support workers.
“[Brokers’] role is to listen without judgement, respond appropriately and know where support can be found,” she said.
“The same principle applies within our workplaces and professional networks. If someone is on your mind, trust your instinct and start a conversation.
“You do not need to have all the answers. Simply asking ‘Are you OK?’, listening and helping someone connect with support can make a meaningful difference.”
Support available
One of the new resources available to brokers this year was created by Bronwyn Penhaligon, founder of Penhaligon’s Applied Psychology and a regular contributor to The Adviser.
Penhaligon’s short on-demand session, Beyond “Are You OK?”, explores what to do when someone says, “I’m fine”, but you suspect they’re not.
The session covers subtle signs someone may be struggling, how to open a more honest conversation, what to say when they do open up, and when to encourage further support.
In particular, the session covers how to spot less obvious signs of struggle; create a safe space for honest conversations; listen without trying to fix the problem; use the R U OK? Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, and Check In (ALEC) framework; and recognise when further support may be needed.
As Penhaligon explains in the video, R U OK? Day encourages brokers to ask what can be a challenging question – and to look more closely when the answer doesn’t seem to ring true.
“Asking that question is just the beginning. Because what happens when someone says, ‘Yep, I’m fine’ but you have a feeling that maybe that’s not quite true,” she said.
During the session, Penhaligon shares a variety of strategies that can be used to approach these difficult topics in a sensitive manner.
“It is up to us to recognise and to offer support,” Penhaligon said in her video.
“And the struggle doesn’t always look the same. Anxiety can look like being constantly alert, watching, scanning, anticipating and preparing for what might go wrong.
“Depression can look like withdrawal, low energy, disengagement, pulling away.
“And neither necessarily look like someone who is obviously falling apart.”
For more practical advice on supporting your own wellbeing and those around you, read Bronwyn Penhaligon’s latest insights in The Adviser’s Your Health in Mind column.
[Related: Mortgage Choice channels over $400k to charities nationwide]
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