This article includes a list of resources for mental healthcare and suicide prevention.

Australian government statistics show that one-in-two Australians will experience a diagnosable mental health issue in their lifetime. From anxiety to bipolar to ADHD, we all either have something or know someone who does, which is why mental health awareness and suicide prevention is so important to the community — perhaps even more so in mining.

R U OK? Is an Australian suicide prevention charity, and R U OK? Day 2021 falls on September 9th. The aim is to start conversations about mental health. On this day, millions in the country are still in lockdown, experiencing unprecedented isolation and profound economic hardship.

In the mining industry, mental health has drawn attention for many years especially for fly in, fly out workers. Now, with much extended swings due to hotspots and lockdowns taking a mental toll, it’s clear across the industry that workplaces have a significant impact on mental health!

Many factors contribute to mental health and suicide, from genetics to trauma and beyond. Stress, including workplace stress, is a common factor, which is why taking the time to learn how to put compassion into practice in the workplace is important.

There are technological developments which can deliver education and connect miners to support networks such as the MineWell mobile app, which was launched in June 2021. Developed by miners, for miners, the app’s purpose is to provide wellbeing and mental health prevention, intervention and education tools for Australian mining workers and their families. The Minerals Council of Australia supports its use.

R U OK? Day has a large emphasis on suicide prevention and crisis awareness, but what can workplaces do to prevent as many people as possible from getting into a crisis? What role can employers and managers play aside from promoting apps like MineWell?

Suggestions for mental healthcare in the workplace are often aimed at individual workers: taking breaks, eating healthily, exercising and creating a mental health care plan, but there are other approaches that employers and management can take. While no manager can control the world or the economy, you are well-positioned to make far more systemic change than any individual worker.

By creating an environment where workers can meet their basic needs, you can make sure they have resources to do self-care. Here are some ways your workplace can support mental health:

1. A safe and meaningfully inclusive workplace and culture: If an employee is threatened, bullied or discriminated against in the workplace, they’re more likely to experience anxiety, low motivation and poor performance. Diverse workplaces work better — but they must work for the mental wellbeing of diverse people.

Create an environment that is supportive and inclusive to all people — women, men, parents, people with disability, culturally diverse and First Nations people, and LGBTQI+ people. If you’re stumped for how to do that, there are plenty of online resources and consulting organisations that can help you practically build equality into your workplaces and practices!

2. Make sure workers are paid for their time, including access to paid leave: Financial insecurity and housing insecurity have direct ties to declining mental health. Managers can’t control the market, but they can control making sure that their workforce is being paid for their time — including when unwell. And, speaking of unwell;

3. Treat sick leave for mental health the same as for physical health: Please don’t make your employees lie about having gastro; sick leave access should non-judgmentally extend to all valid medical concerns.

4. Employee Assistance Programs/ access to low-cost therapy for employees: Like workplaces that boast gym memberships, mental health care infrastructure is an important and attractive part of your workplace. For fly in, fly out workers, for whom isolation and stress may be increased, easy and confidential access to this can make all the difference.

5. Frank, non-judgmental discussions about mental health: Mental health variations are a fact of life, like common colds or back aches. R U OK? Day is about starting the conversation, so keep it going! You can avoid burdening your workers with secondary stress and anxiety if they’re free from stereotyping and judgement.

Employee wellbeing should matter to management; poor mental health will worsen job performance. Workplaces with poor compensation and exclusionary cultures experience less productivity and a higher employee turnover. People will stay loyal to their workplace through difficult times if they’re met with empathy and understanding, and they will have the best chance of staying well if they have the resources to do so.

Employers and managers may be tempted to start with quicker and trendier solutions such as pizza parties or yoga classes. While you know your workforce best, and may detect a specific demand for such events, try the basic stuff first.

Of course, above managers and employers are other levels of governance which should be accountable to the community by providing financial support to businesses struggling in lockdown. We all have our part to play, and this is the larger “conversation” we need to keep going after R U OK? Day rolls by.

Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy, as is every person who cannot meet their potential or feel welcomed in the community because of mental illness. We all deserve workplaces that are safe and inclusive. Get involved with R U OK? by reading through its resources.

If you or anyone you know has been impacted by these issues, please reach out for help:

Call 000 in an emergency

Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis counselling on 13 11 14

Beyond Blue provides assistance for anxiety and depression. Call 1300 22 4636, available 24/7

MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24/7

QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm – 12am (midnight) AEST/7 days a week.

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. Call 1300 726 306, 9am – 7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri).

SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals. Call 1800 18 7263, 10am – 10pm AEST (Mon – Fri), or chat online.

Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.

Open Arms — Veterans and Families Counselling provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partners and families. Call 1800 011 046.

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