Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy and guide
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Employee Policy takes a risk management approach to identify and manage psychological risks and hazards. Includes advice on workplace climate to support the mental health and wellbeing of employees in schools.
Get support and advice to achieve better health and safety outcomes for all school employees: Mental Health and Wellbeing Procedure (DOCX, 2.3MB).
Use this guide to occupational health and safety requirements for managing mental health and wellbeing hazards. Includes useful and practical information on how to support a mentally healthy workplace: Mental Health and Wellbeing Guide (DOCX, 2.3MB).
For support with implementing the Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy and Guide:
- phone: 1300 074 715 or
- email safety@education.vic.gov.au.
This support can include free phone support, site visits and tailored expert advice.
More information on managing employee mental health and wellbeing.
The role of Health and Safety Representatives
Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) volunteer to represent employees to achieve better health, safety and wellbeing outcomes. They are not a principal’s delegate. They do not have direct responsibility for addressing health and safety concerns.
They:
- advocate for the health, safety and wellbeing of their colleagues.
- are a crucial link in communication between employers and employees.
- play a role in encouraging their workplace to be proactive about creating a mentally healthy culture
- have valuable experience and knowledge in identifying hazards and assessing risks
- can participate in developing workable solutions.
To find out if your school has an HSR, or to get in touch with them, ask your school principal or people leader. Find out more at the OHS Consultation and Communication Policy.
Resources to support a mentally healthy workplace
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
You don’t have to be having a difficult time to access the EAP. EAP counsellors can help you be proactive about your wellbeing, such as career counselling, exercise, sleep, healthy eating and how to maintain a good work-life balance.
The service is confidential - your personal information will never be shared with the department. The EAP provides counselling for up to four sessions.
For further information or to make an appointment, call LifeWorks on 1300 361 008 or use the live chat on the LifeWorks Australia website.
Professional Development Webinars
A range of recorded webinars and tip sheets are available to help staff to consider and improve upon their wellbeing. The sessions provide practical mental health and wellbeing tips and strategies. Access these webinars on the Wellbeing Webinars intranet page (department login required).
External Resources
Create a healthy workplace
- A free, evidence-based program to help create a healthy workplace: Healthy Workplaces Achievement Program.
Learn about mental health
- The Be You Mental Health Continuum shows simply how wellbeing ebbs and flows and is not static. For more information, visit What is good mental health?
- Character Strengths are the positive parts of your personality that impact how you think, feel and behave. Discovering and using our strengths helps our mental health and wellbeing. For more information, refer to The VIA Character Strengths Survey.
- Free survey and evidence-based interventions to help boost your wellbeing at the PERMAH framework.
Supporting employee mental health
- Supporting the mental health of young employees in the workplace (Headspace).
- Resources and programs on workplace mental health (Beyond Blue).
- Evidence-based mental health resources and support (The Black Dog Institute).
- Research report on the wellbeing of workers and educators: Australian Educators report (The Wellbeing Lab).
Mindfulness Apps
- Calm - for meditation and sleep
- Headspace - guided meditation by ReachOut Australia
- Insight Timer - for sleep, anxiety, stress and more.
Updated