Unique approach to rehabilitation influenced by African culture

Content published by The Canberra Times.

Inspired by his African culture, Tatenda Maphosa has developed a unique approach to rehabilitation with his program, Ubuntu.

Ubuntu translates to humanity in English and is related to the connection between people, the community and society where everyone has a role to play, understands that role and the rules of society.

By implementing this concept in the rehabilitation process, or at a business in general, huge positive changes are expected.

"We expect to see a reduction in workplace injuries, especially psychological," Tatenda said.

"There will be an increased return to work rate, a faster return to work and people won't want to leave work so they will want to recover at work if they can.

"People will feel more connected to who they work with and feel a purpose at work."

This focus on psychological injuries is very timely and important with Safe Work Australia data revealing mental health conditions accounted for nine per cent of all serious workers compensation claims.

This is a 36.9 per cent increase in mental health conditions since 2017-18.

The average time lost for mental health conditions is four times greater than all physical injuries and illnesses and the median compensation paid was three times greater.

Workers who have claimed mental health conditions also have poorer return-to-work outcomes and were likely to experience stigma in the workplace.

"There's a huge rise in psychological injuries and with the concept of Ubuntu it should not happen," Tatenda said.

"The Ubuntu philosophy assists to manage these psychological injuries, with a community-based early intervention approach, where there is always someone to support."

This difficulty with connection in the community and workplace was felt firsthand by Tatenda when he migrated to Australia seven years ago and is the motivation behind the Ubuntu program.

"For the first six months I felt so isolated and felt like going back," Tatenda said.

"I'd go into the office and no one would really talk to you about anything outside of work, it was like no one cared what was happening in your life even when it could affect work.

"At that stage it would have been very easy for me to get a psychological injury because there was so much pressure trying to adjust to the country, society and dealing with culture shock.

"With the Ubuntu program we're trying to educate organisation about workplace culture to create a place that's welcoming and encourages work as team instead of an individualistic focus."

Successful implementation of the Ubuntu program could greatly reduce the risk of psychological injuries, improve connectedness, and make workers feel like they are valued and welcome in the workplace.

The Ubuntu program can be implemented within a business as part of a return-to-work program created for an injured worker or as a standalone program to improve workplace culture.

To learn more about the program or to start improving connections in your workplace go to Rehab Consultants website.