Mental Health Matters @ AV Assoc Prof Tony Walker ASM Chief Executive Officer

Our History Longstanding peer and psychological counselling services A defensive culture – distracted by external noise Normalised high rates of psychological and physical injury Avoided conversations about paramedic suicide Very low levels of workforce engagement and morale Macho culture – you didn’t speak about your mental health

We had to change Psychological Health and Wellbeing Committee Conversations with staff Ambulance Performance & Policy Consultative Committee Coronial Services report into Paramedic Suicide in Victoria A shared commitment that we needed to improve Openly speaking about and normalising mental health Making it a priority and prioritising investment  

Our Commitment Ambulance Victoria will improve the mental health and wellbeing of our people by: Promoting good mental health and wellbeing through supportive leadership at all levels. Reducing stigma and isolation so that people feel safe to speak up and seek help Preparing our people to meet the unique occupational mental health risks they may face at AV and supporting them to maintain their own mental health through the different stages of their career with AV. Developing a culture that supports our people to recognise mental health issues in themselves and others and seek help early. Making evidence-based treatment and recovery options available and encouraging their use. Reducing suicide rates at AV. Strengthening partnerships between our people, families, leaders, unions and health providers to reduce stigma and increase understanding of mental health support pathways. Undertaking research that improves our understanding of mental health and wellbeing at AV.

Our Strategy A key step in the promotion of a mentally healthy workplace. Three-year roadmap to keep our people mentally fit and well for work and life through a focus on four strategic objectives. Commits AV to providing a workplace that fosters the mental and physical health of our people, at all stage of the employee life cycle. Based on comprehensive research beyondblue 'Good practice framework for mental health and wellbeing in first responder organisations' extensive consultation with staff, unions, families of staff and our Psychological Health and Wellbeing Consultative Group Mental Health Matters @ AV training for all staff and volunteers

Our model mental health and wellbeing model Our model is based on six key principles: The person-centred approach Mental health is a shared responsibility A whole of organisation approach Building a strengths-based culture Protecting mental health by modifying risk and protective factors The needs of an individual change throughout their employee life cycle

Four strategic objectives 2. Promote mental health at all levels of Ambulance Victoria 3. Deliver comprehensive mental health interventions and training throughout the employee life cycle 4. Strengthen our mental health and wellbeing partnerships 1. Understand the mental health and wellbeing needs of our people

Mental Health Matters @ AV Program Partnership between Ambulance Victoria and beyondblue Supported by Victorian Government funding Builds awareness and understanding of mental health conditions Provides knowledge and skills to staff so they can better look after their own mental health Develops understanding skills so we can better look after each other Helps create a mentally healthy workplace, where safety is a priority Extensive development with strong staff involvement Blended learning approach (online and face-to-face)

Mental Health Matters @ AV program structure Warm up 5 x 20-minute online modules Work out A 4 hour face-to-face CPD session Cool down 6 x 15-minute online modules Mental Health Matters @ AV program structure Anxiety Depression Psychological trauma Substance use Suicide prevention

Impacts of MH Matters @AV Increased awareness and understanding of mental health issues Significant improvement of AV staff in recognising and identifying mental health condition warning signs and symptoms, including suicidal behaviour Increased knowledge of possible causes or risk factors of mental health conditions AV staff are now much more aware of the treatments and support available within and outside of AV AV staff are more likely to get help if they are experiencing a mental health condition Formal evaluation of MHM@AV was conducted by Kantar Public and beyondblue (utilising survey and assessment methodology). The following findings (as listed on slides) apply to both operational and corporate staff: * Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental health Staff can identify the warning signs that they or someone else may be experiencing a mental health condition: Ops Pre-program 56% Ops Post-program 89% Corporate Pre-program 41% Corporate Post program 88% * Staff showed significant improvement in being able to identify the warning signs that they or someone else is showing suicidal behaviour: Ops Pre-program 46% Ops Post-program 83% Corp Pre-program 28% Corp Post-program 75%

Impacts of MH Matters@ AV Improved confidence of staff to support colleagues who are experiencing a mental health condition Increased likelihood for AV staff to seek support for themselves or support a colleague if they were experiencing a mental health condition Improved understanding of self-care strategies to minimise the risk of experiencing mental health conditions. The program has made considerable inroads into decreasing stigma in the organisation around mental health. Increased likelihood for AV staff to seek support for themselves or support a colleague if they were experiencing a mental health condition Calls to our 24 hour telephone support line have doubled in the16-17 FY Peer support contacts have tripled in the16-17 FY HIGHLIGHT this point and link back to aim of MHWS: The program has made considerable inroads into decreasing stigma in the organisation around mental health. AV staff showed significant improvement in awareness about the mental health treatment and supports available within AV: Ops Pre-program 64% Ops Post-program 93% Corp Pre-program 57% Corp Post-program 89% AV staff showed significant improvement in awareness about the mental health treatment and supports available outside of AV: Ops Pre-program 47% Ops Post-program 88% Corp Pre-program 49% Corp Post-program 87%

Next steps Review progress against the AV Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-19 Continue delivering and embedding mental health and wellbeing training programs including: Mental Health Matters @ AV to all staff HeadCoach – online mental health training program for managers, developed by Black Dog Institute Implement service review recommendations Review and implement revised mental health and wellbeing training for our Graduates Develop a family engagement plan Participating in the beyondblue National Mental Health and Wellbeing Study of Police and Emergency Services Survey Additional notes: * AV has partnered with The Black Dog Institute to roll out HeadCoach, an online mental health training program for managers * HeadCoach is an innovative, evidence-based program that is designed to equip managers with the skills to role model behaviours needed to create a mentally healthy workplace and support their team members, including having conversations about stress and mental health.

Each journey begins with the first step We have started on our journey but still have much to do! To be successful all of our people and stakeholders need to work together. We all have a role to play in reducing stigma and creating a mentally healthy workplace What are you going to do to look after your own mental health and that of your colleagues?

“If we don’t care for ourselves we can’t care for others”

Contact Details Email: tony.walker@ambulance.vic.gov.au Twitter: @agwalker01 Web: www.ambulance.vic.gov.au