A new ratings system has been developed to assess company performances on mental well-being in a bid to prevent suicides.
Photo: 123RF
Stigma Statistics, an organisation dedicated to suicide prevention, said in the same way companies show off their green credentials or donations to charity, firms need to show how they stack up when it comes to staff mental health.
The service, called Safer and Supported, provides a rating of one being the worst, to five being the best, and allows companies to obtain badges.
Companies would need to complete a detailed questionnaire and provide evidence of good practice to receive a badge.
Further independent assessments then lead to a rating between one being the worst, and five being the best, along with recommendations.
The assessment is based on factors including leadership, healthy working environments and mental health support.
Stigma founder Matthew Steans, a former corporate worker who witnessed a friend's suicide, said workplaces had a huge role in supporting staff mental health.
"I'd like to see a world where listed companies producing financial reports actually list out their Safe and Supported rating and some metrics put around that not just financial returns.
"I think there's a lot of good things that can contribute to the bottom line by focusing on well-being."
Steans said by having an official rating measure, companies could benchmark how well they do and "hopefully keep improving".
"It would also be a useful tool for prospective employees to quickly gauge how switched on an organisation is in respect to how its workers are looked after.
"We can really start to showcase best practice and which companies are trusted in regards to well-being."
Steans said initially companies would not need to publicly disclose their ratings, but he wanted that to change down the line.
Firms could choose to publish their score and use the Safer and Supported badge as a quality mark, he said.
"We believe that all good companies, be they large or small, should feel proud of promoting mental well-being in the workplace," Steans said.
"By using our rating, they can show the world that they are not just aware of their mental health responsibilities, but they are also doing something positive about it because they genuinely care."
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155