OzHelp Foundation

Constructing a proactive approach to

workplace resilience and Suicide Prevention

Rural and Remote Mental Health

Symposium

November 2014 – CEO Tony Holland

• Workplace suicide prevention and

capacity building service with a focus

on blue collar workplaces

• We aim to develop resilient and

resourceful workplaces

• We provide support and training services

that are workplace integrated and

embedded.

• Increasing health literacy and improving help

seeking behaviours as a suicide prevention

stratgegy

OzHelp Foundation

Tradies Tune Up

A workplace-based health screening

program for industry workplaces

AWARENESS TRAINING

A.L.E.R.T. is a three step workplace health and wellbeing support

program that has been developed by the OzHelp Foundation for

apprentices, workers and workplaces. The aim of the program is to

increase workers awareness and understanding regarding depression,

anxiety and suicide whilst also providing strategies for building personal

resilience.

Average Before Scale Answers

3.9

4.5

4.3 4.3

Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4

Feedback from 1305 participants

Question 1Question 2

Question 3Question 4

3.9 4.54.3

4.3

6.2 6.3 6.4 6.6

Before After

Comparison of scaling after completing questionnaire at end of session

RationaleBlue-collar workers (manual labourers and tradesmen)

• More likely to be current smokers

• More likely to drink at risky levels

• Higher rates of obesity

• Higher blood pressure

• Higher total blood cholesterol

• Poorer self-rated health status

Turrell, G., et al., Health Inequalities in Australia: Morbidity, health behaviours, risk factors and health service use, in Health

Inequalities Monitoring Series No. 2. AIHW Cat. No. PHE 72. 2006, Queensland University of Technology and AIHW: Canberra.

Tradies Tune Up

• Based on the Pit-Stop model

• Workers are provided with:

Physical and mental health check-ups

Awareness about healthier choices and behaviours

Exposure to and links with other community organisations

Referral pathways to further support or information

Tradies Tune UpPhysical and mental health checks Other discussion points

• Total cholesterol ● Visiting the GP

• Diabetes risk assessment ● Dental health

• Blood pressure ● Drug use

• Weight ● Reproductive health

• Waist circumference ● Being physically active

• Nutrition habits (2&5, added salt) ● Quitting smoking

• Mental health

• Alcohol consumption

Evaluation

• 2041 workers have undertaken a Tradies Tune Up

• Follow-up phone call three months after attending a Tradies Tune Up

• 941 workers have completed a follow-up (46%)

EvaluationWorkers reported the following behaviour changes after attending a Tradies

Tune Up:

Reduced alcohol intake 11% *

Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables

27% *

Increased physical activity 21% *

Quit smoking 5% *(36% reported smoking at time of TTU)

Visited a GP 46% *

* Argyle Research evaluation of TTU Programme February 2014

EvaluationWorkers provided the following feedback about their experience of attending a

Tradies Tune Up:

97% of workers enjoyed their Tradies Tune Up *

80% spoke to their friends, family and/or colleagues about Tradies Tune Up *

93% would attend another Tradies Tune Up in the future *

* Argyle Research evaluation of TTU Programme February 2014

Strengths

• Access to high risk population

• Go to the workers

• Immediate feedback or support

• Free to workers

• Flexible programs that engage

men in their environment

Challenges

• Reaching residential workers

• Working with people from CALD backgrounds

• Programs rely on support of industry and training providers for access

• Working around site schedules and activities

• Mother nature

• Technical difficulties

In Conclusion

• By providing a more holistic approach to workers health and wellbeing

• Not focusing on just the pointy end of suicide

• Engaging workers, especially men in their own environment

• Equipping workers with skills to manage difficulties or life crisis's

• Providing awareness, links and enabling discussions

We are making more inroads and connections with the industry

Thank You

ceo@ozhelp.org.au

(02) 6251 4166 www.ozhelp.org.au