The power of wellbeing language

Workplace Wellbeing natters

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will significantly affect my mental wellbeing while I’m at work…

On the last episode for Season 1, Workplace Wellbeing natters hosts Linda and Danielle conclude the season by revisiting the language of wellbeing: but this time, we’re looking at the power of language. We’ll discuss how language shapes our understanding of key elements of wellbeing and influences the culture and the stigma surrounding wellbeing at work. Finally, we’ll look at how to use language to promote a culture of wellbeing within our workplaces that makes our teams, colleagues, and ourselves feel valued and included.

RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
Diversity council of Australia WordsAtWork - Building inclusion through the power of language This guide can help organisations build more inclusive workplaces which can result in benefits like improved productivity and profitability, greater creativity and innovation, higher employee wellbeing and engagement and reduced employee turnover, to name just a few.

Minus 18 LGBTIQ+ Inclusive Language Guide This guide was written for use by Victorian Public Sector (VPS) employees. It explains how to use language respectfully and inclusively when working with and referring to LGBTIQ people.

Mindframe Communicating about Mental Ill Health Language Guide As part of capacity building for the sector and to encourage help-seeking behaviour, Mindframe developed national guidelines for the discussion, reporting and publication of content, which references mental health or mental ill-health. This guide aims to provide some practical tips on safe ways to discuss this challenging area, to ensure any risks are managed while increasing the community understanding of mental ill-health.

Wellbeing Literacy: A Capability Model for Wellbeing Science and Practice, Oades, L., Jarden, A., Hou, H., Williams, P., Slemp, G., Huang, L., (2021). In this journal article, a capability model of wellbeing literacy is proposed as a new model for wellbeing science and practice. Wellbeing literacy is defined as a capability to comprehend and compose wellbeing language, across contexts, with the intention of using such language to maintain or improve the wellbeing of oneself, others or the world.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided on this podcast is general in nature only and does not take into account your particular workplace needs, circumstances and objectives, therefore should not be taken as workplace wellbeing advice.

This podcast talks about mental and health and wellbeing, so take care while listening and reach out if you need support. In Australia, there are a number of services available to provide support, including Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636, and Lifeline – 131114.

ABOUT WORKPLACE WELLBEING NATTERS:

Workplace Wellbeing natters is the podcast for wellbeing in the health and community services sector. If you’re working in primary care, mental health, disability, aged, community development, government, or any other part of the health and community services ecosystem, Workplace Wellbeing natters helps you look after yourself and your colleagues as you work to serve the community.

Hosts Linda and Danielle take you through some of their own insights from working in both the wellbeing, and health and community services sectors, and provide you with evidence-informed strategies to help foster wellbeing in your workplace.

Workplace Wellbeing natters is recorded and produced in Gippsland, Australia, on the traditional lands of the Gunaikurnai and Bunurong peoples.

Linda’s Bio:

Hi I’m Linda (she/her). I’m based in Gippsland and work throughout Australia and have almost three decades of experience working with individuals & organisations in the not-for-profit, private and government sectors.

I specialise in workplace wellbeing, and hold qualifications in applied positive psychology, business wellbeing, neuroscience of leadership and am a Master accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainer.

I provide tailored training and coaching to support workplaces to be well places and strengthen individual wellbeing through mental health and wellbeing strategies including profiling.

When I’m not working, you can find me line dancing, walking one of our many rail trails (Great Southern Rail Trail and the Warburton to Lilydale Rail Trail are in my top 3), or wandering the wetlands (Sale Commons is my favourite). If I am not out and about I frequently have my nose in a book or buried in my computer as I feed my love of learning by researching the latest theory that has caught my interest.

My qualifications include:

• Master of Applied Positive Psychology (University of Melbourne);

• Graduate Certificate in Business Wellbeing (Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong);

• Advanced Diploma of Neuroscience of Leadership;

• Graduate Certificate in Consumer Engagement;

• Certificate in Professional Coaching;

• Associate Diploma of Arts (Welfare);

• Principal Master Instructor: Mental Health First Aid

Link to website: https://www.lindarowley.com.au/

Danielle’s Bio:

Hi, I’m Danielle (she/her). I live in the Geelong region of Victoria. I have more than 15 years’ experience, in a variety of roles, across the community, private, and government sectors.

I am a wellbeing specialist, with qualifications in positive psychology (wellbeing science). I am currently completing a Master of Professional Psychology, the fifth year studies on my journey to be a psychologist.

I am passionate about supporting people and workplaces to create healthy environments, especially for people who are exposed to potentially traumatic situations as part of their work.

I am also a dog-Mum to Eva, my 9 year old flat coat retriever, I’m teaching myself to play piano (it’ a fun challenge!), I love a good TV binge session, and I have recently started riding my bike again, after letting it gather dust for the last few years.

My qualifications include:

· Master of Professional Psychology (in progress)

· Master of Applied Positive Psychology

· Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

· Bachelor of Nursing