Creating a network of Mental Health Champions: The University of Queensland 

The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Mental Health Strategy, launched in 2018, is an overarching approach to staff wellbeing that emphasises improving mental health literacy. A key component is a network of Mental Health Champions. This continues UQ’s practice of offering Mental Health First Aid training to staff (which it has been doing for more than 10 years).   

A Mental Health Champion is a trained UQ staff member who can provide confidential and inclusive support and referral information. The initiative centres on proactively supporting and managing mental health and wellbeing.  

“Through our Mental Health Champions, we aim to create an inclusive workplace where people can bring their full selves to work,” says Dr Kate Smith, UQ Workplace Psychologist.  

The network has answered a call among some workers for an increased focus on mental health strategies and literacy. Dr Smith says UQ’s biggest challenge was how to engage staff across all levels of the institution to talk about wellness, wellbeing and mental health and mental ill health.   

To become a Mental Health Champion, staff self-nominate with the support of their supervisor. Champions participate in Mental Health First Aid training and are committed to increasing awareness about UQ’s - and external – mental health services. They keep up to date about available services, refer people to services as needed, are discreet, respect people’s privacy and provide information about trends, barriers and solutions to the University.   

For example, a staff member may approach a champion about difficulty accessing online information for mental health support. The champion provides the information and then subsequently suggests ways that the University can improve the accessibility of online resources. In another instance, a staff member may enquire about the privacy of services like the Employee Assistance Program. The staff member could discuss this with a champion, who, in turn, helps via an informal and discreet conversation.   

Including Mental Health Champions within UQ’s strategic approach to improving mental health has helped reduce stigma, facilitated discussion about mental health, and reduced barriers to accessing support. Increased Mental Health Champions network engagement levels show the initiative's success.   

Dr Smith has tips for other organisations wanting to improve workplace wellbeing by providing information and referrals for workers:  

• Engage staff in Mental Health First Aid training.  
• Establish a mental health strategy that aligns with workplace core values.