IDEA Committee Update
Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue20 1–30 September 2021
September 2021 starts with a deep feeling of uncertainty and unease for all of us. As the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, life can change very quickly. If you feel overwhelmed by anxiety and worry, the RSAA IDEA committee wants you to know that you are not alone. We would like to remind all staff and students of the support that is available if you are struggling during this time:
Staff support services: ANU offers a choice of counselling and advisory services for our staff members and their immediate families. They’re qualified, experienced and independent and the service is free and confidential
Assure – 1800 808 374
· Receive up to four (4) appointments per year. Delivery is flexible with appointments available, over the phone, or online through email or Skype
· Assure also provide a 24hr crisis hotline
· Assure also offer a Manager Support Program (MSP) on 1800 505 015
Relationships Australia – 02 6122 7100
Currently Relationships Australia Canberra have moved to online and telephone service modes.
· Receive up to four (4) appointments per year
ANU Adviser to Staff: the Adviser to Staff provides free, confidential and professional counselling and advice to staff on-campus in dealing with work-related or personal issues that may be affecting their work staff.adviser@anu.edu.au.
Student support services: ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the ANU community. ANU Counselling is a free, confidential and non-diagnostic service available to all currently enrolled ANU students. No referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan from a General Practitioner is required to attend appointments.
The RSAA IDEA committee through the RSAA Strategic Funding and the Culture Action Plan Phase II is funding Mental Health First Aid training for the RSAA community (MSO and SSO). This training is offered by Mental Health First Aid Australia and it is a great opportunity to learn how to help yourself and others through these complicated times. Contact us if you want further details!
The Culture Action Plan Phase I finished with some good achievements thanks to the big effort by our RSAA community members: the First Acknowledgement of Country workshop, the generation of the RSAA Values and Behaviours documents, the feedback to the ANU Code of Conduct, the creation of the RSAA diversity calendar, the screening of IDEA-related documentary at MSO, and the RSAA IDEA committee engagement with champions on the IDEA advocacy (the ANU Respectful Relationships Unit, CoS-CHM Equity and Diversity Committee, CECS Senior Service Consultant Diversity and Inclusion, and the ANU Gender Institute).
Following on the Culture Action Plan Phase II, the RSAA IDEA committee has decided to postpone the All-School Culture Discussion and launch of the CAP-II to help with online meetings fatigue. However, if the lockdown continues for some months, we will start CAP-II remotely.
As described in our previous Lunations article, CAP-II will focus on three main areas: Removal of Barriers for a Diverse Workforce, Prevention of Sexual Violence and Promotion of Equitable Careers. We will work on related initiatives from three different perspectives or pillars: Behaviours, Policies, and Community. We are in contact with a third party to roll out a Culture Survey before the end of the year. We are also arranging Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment training by the ANU Respectful Relationships Unit, and Unconscious bias training by an external provider. The nature of these activities recommends in-person attendance and due to the current lock-down in the ACT, they will not likely be scheduled before the end of the year.
In the meantime, we are planning to reach out to our previous active and engaging volunteers, and of course, everyone else is welcomed and encouraged to participate! Please send us an email if you want to be part of the working groups: idea.rsaa@anu.edu.au
We need you!
Noelia Martinez Rey
