Your how-to: Creating a list of mental health resources for employees
Creating a list of mental health resources for employees refers to the process of collating and categorising various resources that can aid in promoting and supporting mental health in the workplace. This may encompass a wide range of materials such as contact information for professional counselling services, details of mental health programmes available within the organisation, self-help guides, wellness tools and resources from recognised mental health institutions.
In an Australian context, these would include services like Beyond Blue, HeadSpace and Lifeline, as well as workplace-specific resources provided under the Safe Work Australia mental health guidelines. The list should be curated carefully, prioritising the relevance, accessibility and reliability of the resources. It should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure validity and timeliness of the information.
This initiative is part of a broader proactive approach to facilitate a mentally healthy work environment. It serves as a comprehensive, easily accessible repository of information to assist employees in seeking help, educating themselves about mental health issues and engaging in preventive measures. It also reinforces the organisation's commitment to ensuring employee wellbeing.
Step by step instructions
Understand the Importance: Start by acknowledging the essential role of mental health in the workplace. Remember that this initiative showcases your proactive approach to employee wellbeing and signifies your company's commitment to support its staff.
Evaluate the Resources: Assess the resources on grounds of relevance, accessibility, and reliability. Ensure the material is user-friendly and provides useful information to help your employees understand and manage mental health matters.
Consult with Professionals: It can be beneficial to consult with mental health professionals or organisations during this process. They can provide valuable insight, confirm the suitability of chosen resources, and may suggest other helpful material.
Reviewing Australian Legislation: If you're an Australian company, review your compiled resource list in accordance with the Safe Work Australia mental health guidelines. Ensure that you're in alignment with any regulatory requirements or guidelines.
Research the Different Resources: Begin your research to identify various mental health resources that are suitable for the workplace. This should include professional counselling services, mental health programmes, self-help guides, wellness tools, and relevant resources from recognised mental health institutions such as Beyond Blue, HeadSpace and Lifeline if you are based in Australia.
Categorise your resources: Divide your resources into categories based on their nature and purpose. For example, some resources could be for immediate help, some for long-term counselling, and some for awareness and self-education.
Compile the List: Create your list in a clear and accessible format. Make sure it is comprehensible and easy-to-navigate. The list should include contact information, a brief description of each resource, and instructions on how to approach them.
Distribute the List: Once completed, make this list easily available to all employees. The distribution could occur by email, on the company intranet, or physical copies posted in high-visibility areas within the workplace.
Use this template to implement
To ensure you can execute seamlessly, download the implementation template.
Pitfalls to avoid
It's essential to respect privacy when considering mental health resources. Remember, mental health is a personal and sensitive issue. Your employees have a right to privacy and should never feel pressured to disclose their mental health conditions. Therefore, the resources you provide must meet confidentiality standards, and the utilisation process should be designed in compliance with Australian Privacy Principles.
If your staff members are not aware of the resources available to them, they can't benefit from them. Ensuring clear, periodic communication about mental health resources, how to access them, and their benefits is vital. Transparency and promotion of mental well-being in regular briefings, workshops, newsletters, or even via a well-being champion can help to destigmatise the perception towards mental health.
Mental health isn't a one-time issue that can be 'fixed' with temporary measures. It is an ongoing journey that requires continual support. Offer resources that support long-term mental well-being and ensure your company policies also reflect this commitment to continuous wellbeing support.
2. Offering non-accredited resources: Providing resources from non-accredited sources can potentially cause more harm than good. Always ensure that the mental health resources you recommend come from licensed professionals or accredited organisations such as Beyond Blue and Lifeline Australia. This ensures that your employees get reliable, tested and safe advice and assistance.
Every person's mental health journey is unique, and therefore, the required support might vary. Providing a range of resources that address different needs, including counselling, therapy platforms, workshops, self-help books, podcasts, mindfulness apps, etc., can ensure everyone's individual needs are catered for.
Make sure all your mental health resources, policies, and actions are in accordance to Australian legislation and regulations like the Fair Work Act or the Disability Discrimination Act.