Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces across NSW

Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are costing Australian businesses $12 billion each year through staff  absences, reduced work performance and productivity, increased staff turnover rates and associated recruitment and training costs, as well as compensation claims.

With one in six Australian workers experiencing mental illness, workplaces can play an important role in maintaining their workers’ wellbeing.

In partnership with the NSW Government, the Black Dog Institute is providing world-class mental health training for managers and staff in selected areas of NSW at no cost.

If you are a business owner, a manager, or a worker located in Sydney Metro, Newcastle, Central Coast, Blue Mountains or Wollongong areas, you may be eligible to access two workplace mental health training programs delivered by the Black Dog Institute’s experienced mental health clinicians at no cost.

  • Free Mental Health Training for Managers consists of a one-off, three-hour interactive workshop and aims to help people leaders learn how to spot early signs of mental health issues and promote wellbeing within their team; develop the skills to have effective conversations around mental health; understand the resources available to their team, and get the skills to help people recover at work.
  • Free Mental Health Skills Training for Staff is for everyone in the workplace and consists of a one-off two-hour interactive workshop. By attending the training workers will gain skills to have effective conversations about mental health; learn about people’s rights and responsibilities when telling their employer about mental health issues; get access to evidence-based tools, resources and the HeadGear app to help their wellbeing and build a mentally healthier workplace.

 Both programs can be accessed by organising a private workshop for your businesses on-site (minimum of eight people required), or by attending a public session in your area. Those who cannot attend a face-to-face session will have the opportunity to access an online module.

If you are interested in these programs, visit the Black Dog Institute website to read more information and find out if you are eligible.

Well Man – A new men’s health app

A fantastic new men’s health app was recently launched. The app is available for free via the App Store or Google Play Store and is aimed at improving men’s overall health and wellbeing.

One of our LifeSpan community members reviewed the app from a “blokes” perspective.

Their feedback was

“This is a really straight forward, sensible app that does a pretty good job incorporating health, well-being and psychological concepts into plain English specifically for men.”

“I believe it has strong rural origins, the video on the Men’s Resource Centre website (which is based in Albany WA) is wall to wall tractors, trucks and wheat fields.  My guess is that it will play very well with a large segment of men on the Central Coast.  It certainly sat easily with me”.

Some of the best features include:

  • The men’s survival booklet which is easy to read and navigate by topics. There is quite a comprehensive range of topics generating thought and reflection.
  • Emergency Contacts is very useful with 000, Suicide Call Back Service, beyondblue, MenLine Australia etc.
  • 18 day challenge – this encourages behaviour change in a non-threatening playful way.
  • 9 Tips for staying alive 4 men (suicide prevention program) – straight forward, practical and ties is with the other content.  This feature of the app could be really beneficial for health and community workers linking men to the app and using the booklet. The 18 day challenge or 9 tips as anchors would be good for follow up and ongoing work with a person. This also includes safety planning and a range of emergency contacts a finger press away within the app.  It opens up to a “booklet”, but behind the booklet is a navigation menu that has some really great information and resources for men.

For more information about the app click on the Mens Resource Centre or go to the App Store or Google Play Store for more information, search for Well Man.