Amazon Australia has introduced a new enhanced mental health benefit providing Amazon employees and their families with additional free mental health and wellbeing support.

The new service provides holistic mental wellbeing support with services such as life coaching, and mindfulness resources, in addition to traditional Employee Assistance Program services such as counselling sessions and legal and financial work life assistance which are also included.

Research commissioned by Amazon Australia found that nearly all Australian workers (95%) expect a workplace to support and promote their overall mental and physical wellbeing, with one in two (52%) specifically placing importance on workplaces providing access to resources relating to mental wellbeing.

“The safety, health and wellbeing of our employees is extremely important to us. Providing access to—and awareness about—mental health care is a non-negotiable for employers in 2022,” Amazon human resources operations director for Australia, China and Singapore, Jacqui Marker said.

“It is critical that our teams feel they can easily access mental wellbeing resources to help navigate the vast range of challenges life offers. In providing a range of services over and above free counselling sessions, as well as regular dialogue with employees about mental health, we hope to remove barriers and stigma around actively prioritising mental wellbeing.

“We also appreciate that the wellbeing of our employees is impacted by, and extends beyond, the workplace and our new mental health benefits recognise this. Our research found that nearly half of Australian workers don’t believe workplace support should be limited to themselves, with 45% expecting a workplace to provide access to mental health support networks for themselves and their families.” 

Through the new Employee Assistance Program, Amazon employees, their families, and anyone living in their homes have access to several free resources:

  • Life coaching sessions with a certified wellness coach to help navigate life transitions and maximise personal and professional growth
  • Access to webinars, personalised advise and resources on topics including career development, travel and leisure, parenting, healthy living, consumer tips, personal growth and coping following a natural disaster.
  • Interactive self-care programs, including computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, mindfulness resources, and courses that guide individuals through self-paced, evidence-based treatment for anxiety, stress, depression, substance use, sleep troubles, and more.
  • Free one-on-one counselling sessions for employees and their families, with the option to be in-person, via phone, video, or text.
  • Crisis and suicide-prevention support and access to a licensed mental health clinician any time of day or night.
  • Work-life assistance for everyday needs, including help with referrals for child and elder care, movers, and other personal services.

This new mental health offering complements the comprehensive benefits package that Amazon Australia provides to all permanent employees, which includes highly subsidised health insurance from an employee’s first day and up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave.

All Amazon permanent employees receive the same core benefits, regardless of role, level, or position.