Resources to support mental health

Best practice

Identification when workers are experiencing psychological distress or injury and support services on hand to provide to workers.

Why this is important

Psychological injury represents more than six per cent of all statutory claims made — with an 80 per cent increase over the past five years, and continued growth predicted. Workers with psychological injuries are generally off work more than three times longer and have a greater likelihood of permanent impairment.

Mental health literacy remains low among workers and employers, workers with mental injuries can find it difficult to find the support they need.

Acting early can help workers recover quickly and reduce their time away from work.

Your toolkit

• Watch our webinar on Achieving mentally healthy workplaces through early intervention for an overview of why early intervention is important and how you can take steps to create a culture of early intervention in your workplace.

• The Mentally healthy workplaces toolkit provides practical tools and resources that employers, managers and leaders can use to create and maintain mentally healthy workplaces.

• Create your own list of resources to support mental health, tailored to the needs of your workers. Check out the below not-for-profit and largely government funded organisations for free useful information.

Counselling services

• The Workers’ Psychological Support Service is a free, confidential and independent support service for workers experiencing a psychological injury. An experienced social worker will provide support and guidance, connecting workers with the community services they need, including housing assistance, counselling, financial advice and other services.
• 1300 MH CALL (Queensland Health Mental Health Triage Line) is a confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact to public mental health services to Queenslanders. The service is available 24/7 by calling 1300 64 22 55.
• 1800RESPECT is a telephone and online crisis and trauma counselling service to assist people experiencing the effects of sexual assault, domestic or family violence.
• Alcohol and Drug Counselling Online provides free and confidential 24/7 support to Australians affected by alcohol or drug use, at all stages of seeking support. Counsellors are available via email, phone or online chat.
• Beyond Blue’s Support Service provides free and confidential phone, online and email counselling. Beyond Blue’s NewAccess program also provides six 30 minute non-clinical mental health support sessions with the same counsellor, in areas where the program is delivered.  Visit the link above for more information.
• Gambling Help Online provides telephone, online and email counselling, support and information for identifying and dealing with problem gambling.
• Head to Health is a Commonwealth Government funded initiative that links to digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations. Linked resources include apps; online forums; phone, chat and email services; and websites.
• Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
• Mensline provides forums, information, a referral service and telephone, online and video counselling for men.
• National Debt Helpline provides information about the causes of financial stress and how to manage debt, and includes access to free financial counsellors either via phone or web chat.
• Sane Australia provides a free phone counselling services and forums for peer support.
• The Suicide Call Back Service is a nation-wide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.

Mental health e-resources

• Act-Belong-Commit is an online campaign and app encouraging people to promote their own mental wellbeing by being active, connecting with others and creating purpose in their life.
• Bite Back provides online activities and education focussed on promoting wellbeing and resilience in young people.
• The Centre for Clinical Interventions provides self-help resources for a range of common mental health problems including anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and worry and rumination.
• E-Couch provides interactive modules targeting depression, grief and loss, anxiety and relationship breakdown. Information can be accessed without registration, or you can register to access the full program.
• Mental Health Online is an online treatment programs for anxiety disorders. It includes a self-paced, free program.
• The Queensland Government’s Mental Wellbeing initiative includes self-care and mindfulness resources.
• MindSpot Clinic provides online courses help adults manage symptoms of stress, anxiety, worry and low mood. It includes an Indigenous Australians wellbeing program and programs for people aged 60+.
• Mood Gym is a free online self-help program for people experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety and/or depression. Registration to the website is required.
• My Compass is an interactive self-help service that aims to promote resilience and wellbeing for people experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety and/or depression.
• OnTrack offers free access to online programs, information, quizzes and advice to support mental and physical health and wellbeing.
• Reduce Your Use is a six-week online support program for reducing cannabis use.