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The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) and the RiSE Initiative have announced that they’ll be working together in an effort to better support mental wellbeing among the state’s agents and property managers.
As part of the agreement, the REIQ is set to promote the Real Care app to members while also sharing additional RiSE Initiative mental wellness educational resources with the industry.
The Real Care app will be made available to every real estate agent and property manager across the state, regardless of who they work for — and includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with three free counselling sessions.
REIQ chief executive Antonia Mercorella said that the added strain of the pandemic, lockdowns, natural disasters, tight vacancy rates, and an extraordinarily hot sales market means mental wellness has “never been more important”.
Acknowledging that mental wellness is now recognised as an essential part of agent performance, she expressed how “real estate agents, and property managers in particular, have struggled with their mental health during these tough and pressure-cooker conditions and we know that many in our industry are working hard to get back on track”.
“What we want our members and the broader real estate community to understand is that they don’t have to do it on their own,” Ms Mercorella said.
From her perspective, education and support are “crucial”: “The Real Care app is a simple and accessible way to put mental wellness tools into the hands of everyone regardless of which group or office you work for.”
Commenting on the “landmark agreement” with REIQ, RiSE Initiative interim president John Cunningham said it would give principals the tools and resources to start the workplace conversation “in a really positive and supportive way that is also very respectful and private for individuals”.
Highlighting that real estate principals need to be particularly vigilant for signs that their team members are struggling, the interim president offered the reminder that “there is a legal and moral duty to manage mental health risks in the workplace and to care for the mental wellbeing of employees as well as their physical wellbeing”.
“We want to make that as easy as possible,” Mr Cunningham said.
Real Care app includes tools to help manage anxiety, deal with anger and overwhelming emotions, identify destructive thought patterns, create good habits around sleep, exercise and health, and manage finances.
The free offering, available through Google Play and Apple iTunes, came to be following thousands of hours of consultation with Australian and New Zealand real estate agents by leading mental wellness experts Utility Creative and not only focuses on maximising good mental health but also supports emergency features for urgent assistance in a crisis.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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