Peak industry body pushes mental health App

The Minerals Coucil of Australia (MCA) is looking to technology in the next step to address mental illness in the mining industry. It's R U OK? Day and the MCA is highlighting the capacity of the free MineWell mobile app to help improve mental health.Developed by miners, for miners, the app’s purpose was to provide wellbeing and mental health prevention, intervention and education tools for Australian mining workers and their families, said CEO Tania Constable. "Since MineWell was launched in June 2021, hundreds of mining workers have been using the app and the feedback we have received strongly indicates it is an important tool along with other company initiatives to help support the mental health and resilience of our workforce," Ms Constable said."The last 18 months have been difficult with the pandemic impacting people’s lives. I encourage mining workers to often reach out to each other and ask if they’re OK. Getting help isn’t a sign of weakness – it is a sign of strength."The Australian mining industry’s core value and commitment is the safety, health and psychological wellbeing of its workforce, where everyone who goes to work returns home safe and healthy.Mental health was central to health and safety, building on the Australian mining sector’s world leadership in the field, Ms Constable said."The MCA and its partners have worked over many years to build industry understanding and capacity including through the Blueprint for Mental Health and Wellbeing industry guide. "Australia’s mining industry is delivering a range of programs that promote mental health and wellbeing, prevent problems, provide an effective and early response as part of an integrated approach within overall health and safety policy and practice."The MineWell app includes features such as: Personalised scheduling for shift workers to promote better sleep and alertness whilst on shiftAdvice and exercises for improving sleep quality, staying active and positive and staying well during the COVID-19 pandemicTools to take control through breathing, taking a reality check, managing emotions and releasing tensionA social connection tool to schedule anniversaries, birthdays, catch-ups with family and friends and other important eventsA crisis response tool for direct calls to MATES in Mining, Lifeline, Beyondblue and other help servicesA Budget Well feature to set a target budget, savings goals and help track progress to reduce stress and anxiety relating to financial management. All personal information provided by app users remains private, is only stored on their device and cannot be accessed, viewed or gathered by others. MineWell has been developed based on feedback from focus groups and user testing by Australian miners and is available free to all mine workers and their families through the Apple App Store (for iPhones) and Google Play (for Android phones).

Peak industry body pushes mental health App

Industry Queensland

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