SA Public Sector Mentally Healthy Workplace Framework and Toolkit
Find out about the South Australian Government’s approach to supporting mental health in its government agencies.
- Public Administration
- SA
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The South Australian Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment convened a working group to develop a new framework and toolkit to support mental health in the public sector.
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Activities include workshops to help agencies identify and manage risks and supporting training on mental health first aid and peer support.
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Most agencies have established a committee that leads action.
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Encouraging action on one area at a time can help focus efforts and ensure a sense of progress.
Many South Australian Government agencies were aware workplace mental health was important, but few were actively working across disciplines to implement existing initiatives. The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment (OCPSE) recognised it had a key role to develop new resources that were not only based on contemporary research but could also provide practical advice for the state’s 81 public sector agencies.
“Our office is sitting in a really good space to do this work because we have a role to support all different agencies across the public sector in how they deliver their services and support their staff.”
Helen Galindo, Manager Healthy and Safe Workplaces with OCPSE
OCPSE convened a working group of representatives from major public agencies, targeting people with key skills – human resources, organisational psychology, rehabilitation and injury management and consulting.
Consistency of language was a key issue, so the working group produced a one-page framework that outlines key high-level concepts and actions:
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Raise awareness.
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Build the positives.
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Prevent harm and manage risk.
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Intervene early and support recovery.
The framework is supported by a toolkit that contains further information and guidance on activities, implementation and critical success factors.
Other activities include:
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supporting mental health first aid training
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developing guidelines and training to establish peer support programs
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delivering workshops to help agencies identify and manage risks
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support to reduce bullying behaviour in the workplace.
Most agencies have established a multidisciplinary working group. OCPSE works with agencies to get feedback on how the framework and toolkit are being used and what extra supports are needed next.
The OCPSE identified some key lessons for others:
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Encourage action on one area at a time to help focus efforts and ensure a sense of progress.
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Maintain momentum by providing ongoing communications about activities, particularly with key leaders.
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Establish a multidisciplinary group that reflects the diversity of work contexts and organisational needs, so agencies can adapt guidance to suit their issues and priorities.
