Body

Pillars in action – Body

Exercise improves wellbeing

Exercise is a critical component of good health and wellbeing. Even small amounts of regular exercise can improve our mood, concentration and self-esteem. We are committed to providing all staff with opportunities to be active.

The actions we're taking:

Increase staff awareness and visibility of wellbeing and fitness programs through various strategies

  • Review the recruitment, coordination and structure of staff fitness advocates from across all faculties, institutes and departments to drive participation in the Staff Wellbeing Activity Program (SWAP).
  • Improve awareness of the importance of physical exercise to good mental health and wellbeing.
  • Provide clear, consistent guidance across Monash on the range of physical health activities that are supported during work hours.
  • Provide information to new staff during induction on wellbeing and fitness initiatives across University locations.
  • Collaborate with university-wide events (e.g 10,000 steps challenge) to provide opportunities to partner with Monash Sport.
  • Continue to encourage staff to be active through incentives (e.g., faculty subsidies for SWAP and gym membership); options to salary sacrifice.

Revitalise our mental health services to create greater uptake and peer promotion.

  • The tele-mental health services of Monash Counselling will be more widely promoted and will continue to be offered as an alternative to actual in-person sessions.
  • The Monash Employee Assistance Program will be revitalised to provide a greater awareness of mental health services available for staff.
  • Annual staff surveys, focus groups and anonymous system reports will generate data on uptake of these newly revitalised services.

Enhance participation in a range of different staff-focussed fitness and social activities

  • Enhance the social sport program to include a wider range of activities such as darts, pool, bowls and eSports.
  • Extend the Monash Walk and Fun Run event to more regular, engaging challenges on campus.
  • Provide faculties, divisions and institutions with the opportunity to have tailored programs developed to increase uptake and ongoing participation amongst staff.

Inclusive games room

Launch and oversee operation of a new, inclusive games room

  • Increase opportunities for more informal and non-traditional recreation on campus.
  • Ensure all staff can access a range of games and activities that suit a variety of preferences:
    • billiards
    • air hockey
    • foosball
    • darts
    • e-gaming