Build an inclusive and healthy workplace culture that encourages employee wellbeing (physically, psychologically, socially and occupationally).
Review your agency’s Working for Queensland survey results. This may provide some insights into your current work culture and its impact on wellbeing.
Encourage consultation, representation and participation in your workplace. If your agency does not already have one, implement a health and safety representative or committee to give employees a voice in health and safety matters in the workplace, and to help resolve issues early.
Encourage a mentally healthy workplace
Read Creating mentally healthy workplaces: healthy minds (PDF,
111 KB)
. Understand our approach to creating mentally healthy workplaces and find out how you can help.
If your agency doesn’t have a workplace mental health strategy, consider implementing one. It will help you to eliminate or manage risks to psychological safety at work and promote good mental health and wellbeing. The strategy should outline your plan to create a mentally healthy workplace through protection, promotion and support for those recovering from illness and injury.
Use these resources to help you with your strategy:
Promote mental health and wellbeing
Build a positive and healthy workplace culture that is inclusive, destigmatises mental health problems and encourages employees to seek help. See WorkSafe’s Mentally healthy workplace toolkit and Comcare’s Mental health stigma in your workplace for help.
Participate in events like Mental Health Week and RU OK? Day. Encourage managers to use the Employee wellbeing check-in tool for leaders and managers (PDF,
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.
Support employees with a mental health condition to stay or return to work. Provide manager training on how to support employees recovering from a mental illness and stressful life events.
Consider implementing additional mental health and wellbeing programs to help address mental health issues proactively. Find the programs that are right for your agency.
Mental health first aid program
Mental health first aid officers can offer practical first aid skills to help employees experiencing mental health problems. Visit Mental Health First Aid Australia or email mhfa@mhfa.com.au to organise workplace training.
Psychological first aid program
Psychological first aid officers can help support people affected by an emergency, disaster or traumatic event. Visit Psychological First Aid: A guide to supporting people affected by disaster or email contactus@redcross.org.au to organise workplace training.
Psychological wellbeing and resilience program
The Queensland Government has standing offer arrangements with providers (SOA QGP0048-18) who can create tailored psychological wellbeing and resilience programs to help your employees be at their best at home and in the workplace.
Early intervention program
Minimise the impact and duration of emerging symptoms of ill health. An early intervention program offers early and appropriate clinical and self-management treatment and support to employees experiencing emerging symptoms. Visit Comcare’ Early intervention service pilot project page for more.
Peer support program
Peer supporters are trained and qualified employees who champion workplace wellbeing initiatives, act as a referral point and provide basic support and mental health first aid for peers.
Use these resources to help you establish your peer support program:
When you set up your program, recruit peer supporters that can help with your agency’s specific needs. Ensure your peer supporters are well trained and looked after.
Suicide prevention program
Build knowledge, understanding, and the confidence in your agency to support employees in suicidal distress. Reach out to your EAP provider or see either:
