Healthy lifestyles
Healthy lifestyles are continuing to grow as an area of interest, and in some cases concern, in New Zealand and around the world.
We know that people with serious mental illness smoke more than other groups, have higher rates of diabetes, are heavier, exercise less, take more medication and die younger. In fact a large number of people using Pathways services are smokers and the health impacts of that are significant.
Pathways is committed to an organisational culture that supports the health and wellbeing of people who use our services, staff and all others who have contact with us. This means more than just the physical environment, and means that all staff at all levels share responsibility to ensure the optimal well workplace.
We believe there are three elements that influence the health and wellness of Pathways and our staff. These are healthy lifestyles, healthy workplace and healthy attitudes.
Healthy lifestyles
By supporting good health practices at work and with the people who use our services, we encourage healthy behaviour/coping skills. Pathways considers health in its widest context - physical, emotional and spiritual - and aims to support people using services and staff to have optimal wellbeing in all areas.
As a health-focused organisation it’s important Pathways 'walks the talk' by encouraging people to be healthier. To do that we recognise and fund healthy lifestyles as a key focus.
Regional healthy lifestyles coordinators are tasked with the role of motivating people to adopt healthier options and this way of living is strongly encouraged. Pathways' wellness programme initiatives include sports teams, social gatherings, quit smoking programmes, a range of workshops and visits from dieticians, chefs and personal trainers.
The focus on healthy living is seen as so important that Pathways has also allocated dedicated resources to supporting healthy lifestyle choices. The healthy lifestyles fund allows people to apply for financial assistance for activities and support such as buying sports equipment, recipe books or joining the gym.
Healthy workplace
Achieving a healthy workplace is the responsibility of every staff member, along with management and healthy workplace representatives (previously known as health and safety representatives). Our healthy workplace focus is designed to ensure all relevant legislative requirements are met, such as those required under the Health & Safety in Employment Act and its amendments.
Healthy attitudes
Healthy attitudes in the workplace recognises that it’s important for staff to have a sense of belonging, purpose and what we’re working towards, a sense of control and freedom from harassment and discrimination.
