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Mental health awareness programs

The term 'mental health' refers to how a person thinks, feels, and acts when faced with life's situations. It is how people look at themselves, their lives, and the other people in their lives; evaluate the challenges and the problems; and explore choices. This includes handling stress, relating to other people, and making decisions.

The benefits of having positive mental health to individuals and workplaces are significant. The Department's health, safety and wellbeing vision is to have 'healthy people achieving quality educational and training outcomes in safe and supportive working and learning environments'.

As important as our physical health is safeguarding our mental health.

Within DETE, workplaces are encouraged to establish a Wellbeing Committee or to put staff wellbeing as a standing agenda item on the Workplace Health and Safety Committee's agenda. Individual workplaces are encouraged to develop positive physical and mental health programs that meet the needs of staff and focus on improving wellbeing. Workplace Wellness programs might include:

Yoga at work
A lunchtime walking group
Social workplace events
Educational sessions on topics such as healthy eating, coping with change, goal setting or staying positive.
Team building activities
Mental health awareness courses
Promotion of special mental health weeks/events.

Positive Mental Health Workshops

Your regional Employee Advisor may be available to present a positive mental health workshop or presentation.

The Wellbeing Team within Central Office can present workshops on positive mental health topics, on a fee for service basis.

External EAS provider Davidson Trahaire Corpsych offers a range of workshops and presentations, on a fee for service basis.

Mental Health First Aid Workshops and Presentations

Mental health first aid is the help provided to a person who is developing a mental health problem, or who is in a mental health crisis, until appropriate professional treatment is received or the crisis resolves.

This 2 day course is ideal for all Principals, Managers and Supervisors of staff and is also recommended training for all workplace Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinators.

The 2 day MHFA course covers the signs and symptoms of mental health problems, strategies for providing initial assistance and skills to deal with mental health crisis situations.

This course attempts to provide participants with knowledge of the most common mental health issues and a framework for approaching people that is evidenced based.

Workplaces wanting to run a MHFA course for staff can contact Wayne Hunt, Senior Consultant, Central Office Organisaitonal Health Unit.

The cost for this course is $20 per participant, which covers course materials. All presenter travel,accommodation and meals costs for travel outside of Brisbane must be met by the requesting workplace.

These courses are available to all DETE workplaces. A minimum of 10 participants is required to run a course.

If you are interested in booking a course contact:
Wayne Hunt
Senior Consultant
Organisational Health Unit
Telephone: (07) 3405 3803

Key Mental Health Events/Dates to promote

Mental Health week

6 - 12 October 2013 This year ^TM s theme is to be advised.

In support of Mental Health Week , we encourage everyone to plan activities to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of mental health. Now is the time to get organised and start planning. Check out the following links for further information and to order a range of promotional resources such as poster, balloons, stress balls, brochures and other items at minimal cost.