If you or someone you know or work with are experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact one of these services available 24 hours, 7 days per week:
- Employee Wellbeing Support Services: 1300 291 071 (and press 2)
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
- QLife: 1800 184 527 (3 pm to midnight daily) – this is LGBTQI+ support
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
- 13YARN: 13 92 76
Resources
Supports
Understanding psychological health and safety
Psychological health and safety at the department – animated video
A short video is available that covers essential information to understand psychological health and safety for Victorian government schools and the department.
Psychological Health and Safety for School Staff policy and procedure information session
The department has recorded an information session to support all department staff, corporate and school leadership to understand the Psychological Health Regulations and psychosocial hazards in the workplace.
Other department services and supports
- Supporting student mental health – refer to the Mental Health in Schools page on PAL for more information on the role of schools in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of students
- Employee Wellbeing Support Services – free and confidential advice to proactively support the wellbeing of eligible department staff. Staff can make appointments to receive tailored support across 8 different service streams and 6 specialist helplines. Further information is available on the Employee Wellbeing Support Services Policy Advisory Library page
- Manager Support – provides dedicated coaching support to principal-class employees, business managers and other school leaders for coaching and advice on staff wellbeing matters, having difficult conversations, leading through change, developing leadership competencies and any other people management matters. Further information is available on the Employee Wellbeing Support Services Policy Advisory Library page
- Principal health and wellbeing services – a range of initiatives to promote a safe and supportive environment for school leaders to be their best
- Managing trauma resources – Managing Trauma Guide (PDF)(opens in a new window) and Managing Trauma online modules (LearnED)(opens in a new window) to support schools with the effective management of trauma
Templates and guides
- OHS risk register – templates available on the OHS Risk Planning and Management resources page
- Psychosocial risk assessment template (DOCX)(opens in a new window) – schools can use this template to assess and further understand psychosocial risk in the workplace
- Psychosocial hazards and DE controls library (DOCX)(opens in a new window)
- Psychological health and safety FAQ (DOCX)(opens in a new window)
- Psychological health and safety FAQ (PDF)(opens in a new window)
Useful external websites
- Psychological health(opens in a new window) – WorkSafe Victoria
- WorkWell Toolkit(opens in a new window) – WorkSafe Victoria
- Resources and programs on workplace mental health(opens in a new window) – Beyond Blue
- Evidence-based mental health resources and support(opens in a new window) – The Black Dog Institute
- Head to health(opens in a new window) – a free confidential service from the Australian Government to find information, supports, and wellbeing resources
- VicHealth 2012, Reducing stress in the workplace (An evidence review: summary report) (PDF)(opens in a new window) – Victorian Health Promotion Foundation, Melbourne, Australia
- WorkSafe(opens in a new window) provide further information on their website into psychosocial hazards contributing to work-related stress
Updated