First step on the Ladder: Navigating the Mental Health Industry in the workplace.
Part 1- The initial steps
Disclaimer:
The information provided in these posts are for general knowledge and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate medical attention.
If any content within this post causes distress or triggers any emotional difficulties, please reach out to a mental health professional or a crisis support service in your area. Your well-being is important, and seeking help is a sign of strength.
Australian Lifeline - 13 11 14
Introduction
Certain types of grief may well force a person to consider seeking mental health support outside of their immediate social circle. This is a daunting experience on an emotional level. In addition to this, there are complexities to consider when taking this action in the workplace.
How much support is required?
Will any time need to be taken away from work?
How much time can be taken?
Who officially must know at work?
How will this effect how I am viewed at work?
The first and sometimes most difficult question to answer is:
Who should I talk to first?
These next two posts aim is to provide a basic understanding of different mental health professionals in Australia and how they can offer support during challenging times. My hope is that this information will be useful for anyone needing to seek support but not in immediate need of a crisis intervention.
The Intersection of Grief and the Workplace
I have an interest in how the workplace interacts with individuals coping with an unexpected death or other significant life events. Most adults have responsibilities outside of their family, such as being an employee or running their own business. If you're struggling and require time off work, you may interact with various mental health services and professionals. It's important to outline the different mental health professionals you may encounter and their roles. These include General Practitioners (GPs), counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Other professionals like social workers and occupational therapists can also play a vital role, as can support groups and community organizations. For now, I will focus on these major groups.
The initial steps
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
For employees, an EAP is often the first point of contact for support.
What is it?
An EAP is a confidential support service offered by some employers to help employees with personal or work-related issues like stress, anxiety, and relationship problems. This is usually provided through a third-party provider via phone or online services.
What can they do?
Provide free and confidential access to professional counselling services.
Offer support and resources for a range of personal and work-related issues.
May extend services to family members of employees.
What can’t they do?
Authorise time off work.
Pay for counselling or other mental health services outside of their network.
Provide unlimited counselling sessions.
Interact with third parties (e.g., insurance companies).
If you're unsure whether your employer offers an EAP, check with your HR department or manager.
General Practitioner (GP)
Who are they?
A GP has a PhD in medicine with specialised training in general practice, often referred to as your family doctor.
What can they do?
Identify, assess, treat, and manage various health conditions, including mental health concerns.
Refer patients to other allied health professionals and specialists, including counsellors, psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Create a Mental Health Plan.
Prescribe medication.
Sign patients off work.
Interact with third parties (e.g., insurance companies) to provide evidence for a claim.
Some GPs have additional training in specific areas like mental health.
What can’t they do?
GPs are not specialists and cannot provide specialised treatment for complex mental health conditions.
They cannot prescribe certain types of medication or perform specialised procedures.
Some third parties (e.g., insurance companies) may require a diagnosis from a specialist consultant, which a GP can support.
Additional Information:
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Part 2 - The next steps