We can’t change what we don’t challenge, and we can’t challenge what we don’t understand
Rajna is an internationally recognised Clinical and Organisational Psychologist with over twelve years of experience in both frontline and corporate mental health sectors. Her career is distinguished by her work with war crime victims and witnesses from various United Nations Criminal Tribunals, as well as her time in Bosnia, where she helped those affected by war to heal and rebuild.
Rajna served as a police psychologist and as a senior psychologist within the Melbourne Fire Service, showcasing her ability to navigate and lead in high-stress environments and support those in critical roles. Additionally, her role as a criminology lecturer has allowed her to impart her extensive knowledge to the next generation of professionals.
Upon returning to New Zealand five years ago, Rajna founded First Response Health, after seeing a gap for specialist mental health services in the corporate sector in New Zealand. Drawing on her frontline experience, her team of psychologists and her now apply their skills to support the corporate workforce, focusing on bringing specialist mental health services to individuals, teams and whole organisations to foster sustainable and long lasting flourishing.
Rajna describes herself as a businesswoman and entrepreneur first and foremost, and is driven by a deep passion to be the change she wants to see in the mental health industry.
Talking Points
Mental Health - Its role in the corporate sector
Mental health is pivotal in shaping the dynamics and outcomes in the corporate sector. This talk explores the critical role of mental health in fostering a productive and innovative workplace, addressing key areas such as psychological safety, anxiety management, and leadership effectiveness.Mental Health - Its role in the corporate sector
We will discuss how creating environments where team members feel safe to express ideas can boost innovation and accountability, alongside strategies to manage anxiety in high-pressure situations to ensure optimal performance. The session moves beyond superficial wellness initiatives to implement genuine, impactful mental health strategies that foster a culture of well-being. We will cover how to empower employees to overcome imposter syndrome and fully contribute their talents, and provide actionable steps for employers to cultivate a mentally healthy workplace, including wellness programs and daily practices. Additionally, we will address preventative measures and recovery strategies for burnout, enhancing productivity and sustainability. Finally, applying neuroscience to leadership—known as neuroleadership—improves decision-making and develops leaders who are not only effective but also empathetic and agile.
Equipping leaders and managers with these tools fosters a resilient, mentally healthy workforce capable of navigating the complexities of the modern corporate world
Preventative Wellbeing for Individuals, Groups, and Teams
Preventative wellbeing is essential in fostering the overall health and productivity of individuals, groups, and teams. This presentation will explore comprehensive strategies and scientific insights from psychology that support robust preventive health measures, with a focus on psycho-neuro immunology, stress management, behavior modification, and broader health promotion.Preventative Wellbeing for Individuals, Groups, and Teams
Understanding the connection between psychological processes and the immune system through psycho-neuro immunology highlights how mental and emotional health significantly influences physical well-being. Techniques such as mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and stress management strategies are critical in mitigating the adverse effects of chronic stress, known to exacerbate conditions ranging from cardiovascular diseases to mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Concurrently, behavior modification plays a pivotal role in preventing lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions by fostering healthier habits through motivational interviewing and reinforcement methods.
Moreover, the session will cover the importance of mental health and psychopathology prevention, where early intervention programs, resilience training, and preventive psychoeducation can substantially decrease the incidence of psychological issues. Health promotion is further emphasized through interventions that encourage physical activity, improve dietary choices, and reduce harmful behaviors like excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, all within conducive environments that support these lifestyle changes. Additionally, we will touch on the management of chronic diseases and the critical aspects of sleep psychology, which address the maintenance of cognitive and emotional health, particularly in aging populations, and the prevention of sleep-related disorders.
By integrating these elements, the presentation 'Preventative Wellbeing for Individuals, Groups, and Teams' aims not only to prevent health problems but also to enhance cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning through scientifically-backed psychological practices
The Science of Wellbeing
Research shows that positive workplaces contribute to business performance, boosting morale and helping organisations to flourish. Supporting employees and their mental health has a huge impact on the bottom line and productivity of organisations, with The World Health Organisation estimating that depression and anxiety disorders in employees costs $1 trillion per year to the global economy in lost productivity.The Science of Wellbeing
"The Science of Wellbeing" refers to the science of thriving, flourishing and everything that encompasses a meaningful, purposeful, and happy life - and who doesn't want more of that? Wellbeing science is a rapidly evolving area within mental health, and is quickly gaining traction within the corporate and educational sectors, and amongst individuals for good reason. This comprehensive presentation synthesizes key areas of research and practice within the field of psychology to provide actionable insights and strategies for enhancing personal and collective well-being.
This session addresses the broader context of organizational wellbeing by exploring strategies to cultivate a supportive and psychologically healthy workplace because as humans, we naturally want to feel meaning and a sense of accomplishment, to have a desire for growth and development and I believe in taking a proactive approach to mental wellbeing, giving people tools to enhance their mental health in a positive way, rather than waiting for them to be in a mental crisis before offering help.
Join me as we unpack the science behind wellbeing and provide practical tools and insights to implement these principles across various levels of your organisation, creating a thriving professional ecosystem. This presentation is designed not only to inform but also to empower leaders and professionals to actively shape a culture of wellbeing that supports the health and success of all stakeholders.
