Tools and resources for a mentally healthy workplace

There are a range of tools and resources available for small, medium and large businesses to assist in creating a mentally healthy workplace.

Creating an action plan

A first step is identifying priority areas of focus and then developing an action plan for your business. Heads Up provides a free and simple action plan tool to help you develop a tailored strategy. A key to a successful action plan is to take the time to seek input from your employees as part of the process.

The Heads Up developing a workplace mental health strategy: A how-to guide for organisations is a comprehensive guide that allows managers to systematically develop and implement a plan to establish a mentally healthy workplace. The guide contains an Action Plan template to help develop your plan.

Useful tools and resources

Free tools and resources are available to help businesses to get started on their mentally healthy workplace journey.

Heads Up

• a starter pack provides communication tools and templates to show your mental health commitment within the workplace
• information on how to have a conversation with someone you are concerned about
• tips for managing stress at work or workplace bullying
• supporting someone with a mental health condition to stay at or return to work by developing a plan
• online training developed by Beyond Blue to increase understanding of mental health in the workplace and provide practical strategies
• webinars and podcasts on workplace mental health
• specific resources for small business owners to create a mentally healthy workplace as well as looking after yourself.

Safe Work Australia has developed national guidance material for work-related psychological health and safety to assist workplaces in preventing psychological injuries and supporting recovery.

SA Health has tools and resources to develop a successful workplace program including "A workplace health and wellbeing toolkit" Free Skill Building Workshops and Webinars.

Workshops and webinars

ReturnToWorkSA provides free workshops on mentally healthy workplaces and returning to work. For more information and to register, visit our events page.

Mentally healthy workplaces

Presented by Mardi Webber (ReturnToWorkSA Mentally Healthy Workplaces Consultant). This webinar is aimed at Return To Work Coordinators, and focuses on:

• understanding why it's important to focus on mental health in the workplace
• critical success factors and making your workplace thrive
• free tools and resources that are available to support you in your role
• how to take action.

Watch mentally healthy workplaces now

A Head Start – Maximising the Heads Up Resource

This webinar is aimed at those workplaces that are looking for resources in the area of mentally healthy workplaces but are unsure where to start or how to build on their existing programs. Mardi Webber, Mentally Healthy Workplaces Consultant, ReturnToWorkSA, is joined by Catherine Doherty from Beyond Blue who helps us to take a deeper dive into Heads Up website. This website, developed by Beyond Blue and supported by the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Alliance, provides a wide range of resources, tools and guidance information to any workplace, in any industry, to help create healthy workplaces.

Watch a head start - maximising the Heads Up resource now

Tips for working from home

As a result of COVID-19, many businesses have introduced work from home arrangements, either temporarily or on a more permanent basis. It is important to consider how to create good habits and routines to look after your safety, health and wellbeing whilst working from home. Mardi Webber, Mentally Healthy Workplaces Consultant, ReturnToWorkSA, shares her tips for doing this.

Watch tips for working from home now

Watch summary now

How we can help

Our specialised mentally healthy workplaces consultant can help you to identify and reduce risk factors to mental health in your workplace and can provide practical support, advice and resources. Contact us on (08) 8233 2495 or email mentallyhealthy@rtwsa.com .

Mental health support services

• as a workplace, you may have access to an Employee Assistance Program that you can promote to your employees
• Beyond Blue has a 24 hour 7 day week support service. Phone 1300 224 636 or website is available to email or chat online
• Regional Access has free professional telephone and online counselling 24 hours a day seven days a week for people 15 years and older living or working in regional South Australia. Phone 1300 032 186 for immediate support or use website for online counselling
• Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN) have commissioned a wide range of mental health care services for the metropolitan area including a summary of Primary Mental Health Care Services
• Head to Health has digital mental health resources provided by the Australian Department of Health, including apps, online programs and phone services.

Suicide and crisis support

If you or an employee is in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, please contact emergency services on 000.

To talk to someone now call these 24 hour support services:

• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• Lifeline on 13 11 14
• Mental Health Triage Service on 13 14 65