Working Well

In 2006, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) released the National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006-2011.  This report clearly articulated the need to explore the use of technology and other delivery systems to improve both the access and outcomes of mental health services.  Research has shown that the use of online support services can be a useful adjunct to more traditional support services and is an effective supplemental tool between appointments with healthcare professionals and other support services. 

Online service delivery has proved successful with depressioNet's Information, Help and Peer-based Support service and, having entered into a partnership with financial support from the MBF Foundation on 6 July 2006, depressioNet has embarked upon developing, formalising and concretising the new Working Well project.  Referred to initially as the 'depressioNet Work Centre Project', a decision was made on 20 March 2007 to identify the project with the name 'Working Well' to reflect the importance of recognising and addressing the issue of depression in the workplace.

It has been identified that depression in an employee can impact on both the employer, their colleagues and upon the culture within the workplace.  The productivity of an employee living with depression and emotional stress can decrease and absenteeism can, in some cases, increase.  Further, depression can seriously affect an individual's capacity to carry out their tasks and work, and co-workers may find that they are having difficulty concentrating, run late for work or for meetings, frequently make mistakes and may be demonstrating an overall reduced level of functioning.

Designed for people in the workplace living with depression, the Working Well project will lean on depressioNet's current Information, Help and Peer-based Support model.  Information Technology offers a powerful medium to transfer health messages and the Working Well project will focus on the specific issues, needs and solutions for people living with depression in the workplace. 

Introducing the topic of depression and mental illness into the workplace is one way of increasing understanding as well as negotiating ways  to support other people impacted by psychological stressors.  Hearing first-hand that they are not alone and that there is help available to manage depression can be a significant step for an individual impacted by depression.  The Working Well project will provide Online Communication Forums through which people can share their stories and experiences.

With a strong consideration of the statistic that suggests one-in-five Australians experience depression at some stage in their adult lifetime, the service will extend to incorporate information, ideas and advice on reducing stressors in the workplace so that the service is relevant not only to employees living with depression, but will provide ideas on improving and maintaining mental wellbeing in the workplace.  Ultimately, Working Well will support all people in the workplace to work well and stay well.