Allianz Australia is the first participant in a new corporate wellbeing program that teaches recognition of changes in worker mental health.

Matthew Johnstone, author of several books on depression, runs the workplace program, called Here’s a Thought. It aims to help staff understand what being mentally healthy means, how to recognise the symptoms of ill health and when to reach out for support.

More than 7000 Australians are compensated for work-related psychological claims each year, costing $543 million, according to SafeWork Australia. Allianz says the average workers’ compensation payout for psychological illness is $25,000, compared with $9000 for physical claims.

Alllianz’s “sensitive claims” team in Sydney has participated in the program, as have staff in the Victorian regional centres of Moe and Bendigo, recognising that remote workers can face additional mental health pressures.

“It was a way to have a bit of fun, but there is a serious element to it,” Allianz Workers’ Compensation GM Government Services Mark Pittman told insurancNEWS.com.au.

Regular “thoughts”, tips and links to other material are sent to program participants, utilising creative imagery from Mr Johnstone, who is also a cartoonist and designed cards related to areas in which staff may need extra support, such as poor sleep, anxiety and eating habits.

Allianz says workers’ confidence in dealing with work and non-work-related stress increased, as did comfort discussing mental health.

Staff knowledge around recognising any decline in mental health improved.

Allianz offers flexible start and finish times and compressed four-day weeks to promote staff wellbeing.

“It’s about leadership setting the scene that it is OK to have these concerns and the permission to have these conversations,” Mr Pittman said.

“We see our role as an insurer to remove that stigma.”