Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework
The SA public sector Mentally Healthy Workplaces (MHW) Framework draws on world-leading research to create mentally healthy workplaces in our agencies.
The supporting toolkit provides practical information and evidence-based resources to assist agencies with wellbeing strategies by raising awareness, building positive cultures, preventing harm, and supporting people with a mental illness.
Additional resources include:
Support your mental health
Are you worried about your own mental health or that of a colleague? It is important to reach out and ask for help early.
Mental illness is common and one in five people in the workforce will be experiencing a mental illness at any one time. There are many options for seeking help.
Most public sector agencies have a funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Agencies contract an organisation to provide professional counselling to their employees for a set number of sessions (usually between three to four sessions annually). These sessions are confidential and no identifying information is reported back to the agency. If you are not sure who provides EAP services to your agency, speak to your manager or search your agency intranet for further details.
General Practitioners can refer people directly to a mental health professional (Psychologist, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist) for treatment using a Mental Health Care Plan under the Better Access intiative. This initiative gives Medicare rebates to help people access services and therefore reduces the costs of accessing professionals. Speaking to your GP about your mental health is a good place to start.
A range of e-mental health options are now available to access mental health support online. The e-Mental Health in Practice Project provides access to free training and support from a wide range of mental health organisations. One popular option is MindSpot which provides online lessons and regular therapist support online to address a range of common mental health concerns. Accessing support online provides anonymity and convenience that may suit some people.
Emergency: Call 000
Mental Health Triage: Call 13 14 65 Mental Health Services | SA Health
Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service: Call 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au