Employee Assistance Program

It is extremely important to seek out help if you feel you need it. We want to remind everyone that Employee Assist is available to offer support to you and listen. When you access Employee Assist, you will speak with a qualified, experienced counsellor.

Employee Assist is a confidential service available to all Healthscope staff and their immediate families.

There are a number of ways you can contact Employee Assist:

• 24/7 on their national toll free number 1300 687 327
• visit https://www.convergeinternational.com.au/ and connect with Converge using their Live Chat Service
• Download the EAP Connect App and connect through the appointment icon

Converge International also have a Portal where staff and managers can access additional resources such as informative posters. To access the portal, visit https://www.convergeinternational.com.au/ and click on the Portal Login in the top right hand of the page.

Use the following login details to access the portal:

Username: converge
Password: eap

Prefer to talk to someone within Healthscope?

Sometimes you might feel the need to speak with people from the same industry so that there is a more immediate understanding of what you’re experiencing. Someone who ‘gets it’.

We recognise that many Healthscope employees are feeling overwhelmed regarding COVID-19 and the rapid changes happening around us. Therefore, to further support Healthscope employees, we have developed an Internal Assistance Program.

This program is not intended to compete with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) but add a supplementary level.

Also known as Internal Assist, the program is designed to provide short term counselling services by qualified and experienced Healthscope personnel.

Internal Assist is a confidential service available to all Healthscope employees and completely free.

The Victoria Clinic and the following individuals have kindly nominated themselves to be available to you:

If you need urgent support, please call Converge International (EAP) on 1300 687 327 available 24/7.

Isolation Support is an additional level of assistance offered by Converge International (Healthscope’s EAP Provider).

The purpose of Isolation Assist is to provide professional support to employees who need to self-isolate, particularly employees who are self-isolating because of work related exposure to COVID-19 as this may be quite a stressful foreign experience for people and their families.

Isolation Assist is completely voluntary and employees can opt out at any time, but we do encourage isolating employees to take advantage of this additional support network.

A Converge Consultant will contact the employee via telephone once per week for a period of 4 weeks with a focus on maintaining connection and feeling supported. This includes assessing the individual’s psychological state and checking in on their practical needs associated with daily living.

Nurse & Midwife Support

https://www.nmsupport.org.au/

A free and confidential health support service to nurses and midwives in Australia.

Phone - 1800 667 877, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Email - https://www.nmsupport.org.au/support, complete your details and write your message on the form and a Nurse & Midwife Support counsellor will respond to you request within 24 hours.

Nursing and Midwifery Health Program- Victoria

http://www.nmhp.org.au/news-covid-19.html

A free, confidential and independent support service for nurses, midwives and students of nursing and midwifery experiencing health issues related to their mental health or substance use concerns.

Phone - 03 9415 7551, operating Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm

Email - admin@nmhp.org.au

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

https://www.ranzcp.org/home

Following an initiative of the Victorian Branch, RANZCP psychiatrists have engaged with their local Committee to deliver services to COVID 19 healthcare workers. The health and wellbeing of healthcare workers is of paramount importance and amidst a global pandemic, psychiatrists in Victoria are concerned about mental health impacts facing healthcare workers on the frontlines.

If you are a health care worker and are concerned that you are feeling overwhelmed or just want to check your mental health, please access RANZCP's database, https://www.ranzcp.org/about-us/australian-branches/victoria/psychiatrists-for-victorian-healthcare-workers.

Hand-n-Hand COVID-19 Healthcare Workers Peer Support Network on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HandnHandAU/

This Facebook Group is a national interdisciplinary peer support network for healthcare workers at the frontline of healthcare delivery in Australia.

Pandemic Kindness Movement

https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/kindness

The Pandemic Kindness Movement was created by clinicians across Australia, working together to support all health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have curated respected, evidence-informed resources and links to valuable services to support the wellbeing of the health workforce.

Lifeline

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Is a free, private and confidential service that provides 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.

• Phone - 13 11 14, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Text - 0477 13 11 14 , operating from 6:00 pm – midnight (AEST), 7 nights a week
• Webchat - https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/online-services/crisis-chat, operating from 7pm – midnight (AEST), 7 nights a week

Kids Helpline

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Free, private and confidential counselling services for young people aged 5 to 25.

• Phone - 1800 55 1800, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Webchat - https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/webchat-counselling, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Email - https://kidshelpline.com.au/get-help/email-counsel...
• Kids Helpline Circles - https://kidshelpline.com.au/khl-circles, a free, safe, & anonymous peer support group for improving overall wellbeing and mental health for young people in Australia aged 13-25 facilitated by Kids Helpline Counsellors.
• Niggle - https://kidshelpline.com.au/niggle, is an app that helps track your wellbeing and get personalised information, videos, podcasts, quizzes and tips to help you tame your niggles.

Beyond Blue

https://beyondblue.org.au/

• Phone - 1300 22 4636, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Webchat - https://online.beyondblue.org.au/#/chat/start, operating from 3:00 pm - midnight (AEST), 7 days a week
• Email - https://online.beyondblue.org.au/email/#/send, complete your details and write your message on the form and one of Beyond Blue's mental health professionals will be in contact within 24 hours.
• Forums (online community) - Beyond Blue's online community is all about supporting and learning from each other. The forums are community-led and not staffed by mental health professionals. To talk to someone one-on-one, please get in touch with the Support Service.
• Beyond Now suicide safety planning app - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/beyondnow-suicide-safety-planning, A free to download app to help you make your own safety plan and support you through times of sadness or grief
• Mental Health Facts & Resources - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts
  • Anxiety & Depression Checklist (K10) - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety-an...
  • Grief & Loss - https://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/file?tok...
  • Self-harm & Self-injury - https://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/file?tok...

The Brave Program

https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/

The BRAVE Program is an interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety. The programs are free, and provide ways for children and teenagers to better cope with their worries. There are programs also available for parents.

Heads Up - Better mental health in the workplace

https://www.headsup.org.au/

Heads Up provides tools to create more mentally healthy workplaces. They provide a wide range of resources, information and advice for individuals and organisations – all of which are designed to offer simple, practical and, importantly, achievable guidance.

It also encourages everyone in the workplace to play their part in creating a mentally healthy working environment, take care of their own mental health, and look out for their colleagues.

SANE Australia

https://www.sane.org/

A national charity that helps people live long a fulfilling lives, free from stigma and discrimination.

•Helpline - 1800 187 263, operates on weekdays from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm AEST.

•Email - helpline@sane.org

•Forums - https://saneforums.org/?_ga=2.170414048.1567897912.1590387995-1394659644.1547094165. The forums are anonymous and moderated 24/7.

Black Dog Institute

https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

A not-for-profit medical research institute that operates in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.

They provide research based mental health resources and support toll that are recommended by professionals, https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/.

Reach Out

https://au.reachout.com/

Is Australia's leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. They provide specially targeted information, practical tools and resources to help young Australians.

5 Way to Wellbeing

https://5waystowellbeing.org.au/

5 Ways to Wellbeing provides free practical tools and resources to improve your psychological and emotional health based on extensive international research. Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Be Aware and Help Others. 

Pilates - any time and completely free!

Physical and mental health is so incredibly important and a real challenge for everyone at the moment, not just employees but families as well.

To help with this during these stressful and changing times, Symmetree Yoga and Pilates shared with us a FREE Pilates tutorial led by Pilates Instructor and Osteopath; Justine Boscaglia.

We are so grateful for Symmetree Yoga and Pilates for sharing this resource with the Healthscope community.

With many choosing the skip the gym currently, this free online Pilates tutorial is perfect to do at home by yourself or with your self-isolated loved ones to avoid getting cabin fever.

Flexibility with flexibility!

We recognise how challenging it is, especially for so many of our staff who work shifts, to find time to exercise. Adding to the challenge, is the closure of our gyms and sporting centres.

Healthscope have partnered with Performance Medicine to provide flexible on-line classes which you can do in your own home.

Classes include:

• Functional Training
• Pilates
• Barre
• Yoga (Flow & Yin)

To access the free classes

1. Register with Performance Medicine (first time users only)

You will need to register directly with Performance Medicine to join our virtual classes. Please send the following information to info@perfornamcemed.com.au

• Full name
• Mobile number and phone provider (e.g. Telstra, Optus, Virgin)
• Date of birth
• Preferred email address

Once you have sent these details through, you will receive a welcome email from Performance Medicine.

From here, you will be able to access classes and book at no personal charge.

NOTE: If you attempt to book online without registering with Performance Medicine and your welcome email, you will be automatically charged $30 which will not be refundable.

2. Class Time Table

Select a class:

3. Book

To book into a class:

1. Follow this link to find a class and make a booking: Go to https://performancemedicine.com.au/classes/
2. Click on the yellow 'Virtual Fitness & Wellbeing Classes' link
3. On the day, join the class, Performance Medicine will email or text a link to you 30 minutes prior to the class and this will give you access to our private room.

All classes will be live streamed via Zoom. When you click the class link, Zoom will either download onto your device (smart phone or tablet) or open in a web browser (computer or laptop), the class will start automatically.

Walk

Go solo: Make a commitment to go for a regular walk and use that time to consciously enjoy your surroundings.

Set up a virtual walking group: That way you can stay connected and keep each other honest. Most mobile phones support conference calls with small groups. Schedule a walk in your calendars, ring each other and talk while you walk.

Sleep

Sleep is equally as important as staying active. Not only does sleep provide the best rest and recovery, it is also boosts our immune system which is essential for all of us at the moment. But of course, in times of heightened anxiety or stress, sleep can be elusive.

• Steps to take to help improve sleep:
• Avoid caffeinated drinks in the afternoon or evening
• Avoid alcohol 3 hours before going to bed. Going to sleep might be easy but you are more likely to wake up during the night and struggle to get back to sleep.
• A cooler bedroom is more conducive to sleep than a room which is too warm.

If you can’t sleep, try not to worry about the actual lack of sleep. Move to another room if possible so that you’re not disturbing your partner. Lay down, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Try to breath in for a count of 5 and breath out for a count of 5. Repeat this cycle 10 times. Start to focus on nice memories, holidays, events. If your mind wanders back to anything negative, start all over again. If you let yourself, you can find a really good resting state without actually being asleep.

Click here to access Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep – A Converge International Resource.

Click here to access Progressive Relaxation – A Converge International Resource.

Social distancing and working from home doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected.

Staying connected is integral to our wellbeing and now more than ever. Here’s some practical ways to stay connected:

Work colleagues

Virtual Coffee – do you sometimes go for coffee with a colleague? Try to keep the routine. Schedule a coffee break in your calendars and catch up over the telephone whilst enjoying a cuppa.

Schedule regular short team meetings using a teleconference line or WebEx. If you need help establishing a teleconference line or setting up WebEx, contact the IT Service Desk (it.servicedesk@healthscope.com.au or 1300 477 488).

In terms of staying connected, team meetings work best if they are short, frequent and informal. Try to schedule a daily 10 minute meeting which doesn’t discuss work.

Family

Now more than ever, make regular contact with family members. If immediate family members need additional wellbeing support, please remember that the Healthscope Employee Assistance Program is available.

Vulnerable Family Members

If you have older family members and/or members with chronic illness, discuss and plan ways they can be supported. Examples include:

Discuss home visits and the risk that may present. Discuss how this can be managed e.g. avoidance of home visits all together. Limiting who can make a home visit to just one person. Hygiene practices around a home visit, such as the visitor washing their hands prior to entering the house or immediately after entering the house.

Ordering and delivery of groceries. Do family members need assistance with this? If delivering groceries, please revert to the use of plastic bags rather than re-useable bags.

Children

This is an uncertain time for everyone, and children may be impacted by fear and anxiety. Here are some tips on how to ensure your children are supported;

Give your children extra attention and reassurance. Where possible, minimise their exposure to media and social media that may heighten anxiety

Acknowledge your own feelings about the situation and let children know it’s okay to share their own feelings

Include your children in plans and activities around the house.

Your Neighbours

If you don’t know each other by name, now is the time. Of course we need to respect social distancing but that doesn’t mean we can’t hold a conversation. If you see your neighbor introduce yourself.

Ask if they are ok. Are they working from home or are they an essential service and still out and about?

Is there anything they need? Suggest exchanging phone numbers so that you can keep in contact.

Social Media

If you are on Facebook – click on the image below and join Healthscope’s ‘Healthscope Ready’ Facebook group. This is a great way to keep on touch with what is happening within Healthscope, communicate with colleagues and find resources which are being made available.

Time Out

With so much information being directed at us from all angles it is really important that we consciously set time aside AWAY from mainstream media and social media. Make sure you plan for ‘Time Out’. Use this time to reconnect with family, pets, that neglected garden, wash the car, listen to music, go for a walk, anything that will actively shift your focus. During this time, put your phone into flight mode so that you are not tempted.

Stay in touch, keep informed but don’t let yourself become overwhelmed.

Smiling Mind app - mindfulness, seep, digital detox, meditations and more

If you are seeking more of a mental detox from the current overwhelming situation…

Smiling Mind have designed an app with mindfulness for the whole family.

There are many apps available but Smiling Mind is a free app developed by psychologists and educators and caters to all age groups.

They have programs to help with mindfulness, sleep, digital detox, meditations and more.

Balance

There’s so much negative news out there. Deliberately spend as much time accessing good news as negative news.

One great resource is:

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

Bookmark this page / save it to your favourites and try to spend as much time reading through stories on this page as you do with mainstream media.

Click here to access Mindfulness – A Converge International Resource.

Click here to access Prevent Catastrophic Thinking – A Converge International Resource.

Here’s some practical steps to setting up a conducive working environment at home.

Office space

If possible, dedicate a space to being your ‘work space’. Consciously step in to that space to work and step away from that space when you need a break.

Use this form to complete a quick ergonomic self-assessment. Working at home it is quite likely that perfect ergonomics may be a challenge. If this is the case, make sure you take really regular short breaks and stretch.

Ambience

Make sure the area is bright and has good air circulation.

Keep the area clean and clear of clutter but not at the expense of some furnishings some as a plant or some family photos. Do you have any holiday souvenirs which immediately remind you of a great time? They can be a fantastic trigger to bring back good feelings.

Our olfactory (sense of smell) is incredibly connected to our mood and feelings. Here’s a few suggestions:

• Without creating a fire risk, you might consider burning some incense.
• If you have a slow cooker, have some nourishing food cooking in the background.
• Essential oils are also great – particularly lavender for relaxing or lemongrass for staying alert