Psychological Safety and Behavioural Change: Music Industry’s ‘Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program’ Kicks Off

A new program which promotes mental health awareness, psychological safety, and positive cultural and behavioural change in the Australian music industry has kicked off, known as the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program.

The program comes from music industry charity Support Act, and will initially run as an 18-month offering.

Across the 18 months, there will be six three-month ‘chunks’, offering participating workplaces a Hero Offering workshop, and quarterly additions such as a wellbeing EDM, Digital Brunch Bootcamp and team support session.

Support Act said so far, 20 businesses has been invited to be part of the trial or ‘pilot program’, and the response had been “really positive”.

Those not part of the trial can participate in the charity’s public access training programs, including ‘Access All Areas: Active Bystander Training’, ‘Mental Health First Aid’ and ‘Suicide Prevention Training’, via the Support Act Website.

The Mental Health First Aid certification is valid for three years, and under the program over 1,400 people have already been certified. Support Act said it is already looking into refresher training for those whose certifications may be about to expire.

Businesses operating in the industry are also being encouraged to sign up to the charity’s “Minimum Standards for a Mentally Healthy Music Industry”, which encourages actions to protect, respond to and promote the positive aspects of work that contribute to good mental health.

Support Act noted the program addresses eight of the 17 recommendations from the Music Industry Review, and will assist participants in meeting their legal obligations under the “Respect@Work” legislation. In line with the charity’s First Nations Strategic Plan, it said it would also deliver culturally intelligent, respectful and trustworthy support to all First Nations peoples accessing it.

Clive Miller, CEO of Support Act said: “The Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program consolidates our training and resources into one program, with the aim of helping organisations of all sizes improve workplace health and safety.

“The program speaks to eight of the 17 recommendations of the Music Industry Review, and is a practical and quantifiable means of making real progress towards sustained cultural and behavioural change.

“With the new Creative Australia Bill passing parliament last week, including the new Creative Workplaces body to raise and set workplace standards, there’s never been a more important time for businesses to ensure their workplaces are mentally healthy.

“We’re excited by the initial response to the program, and look forward to making it available more widely over the coming months.”

More information about the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Program can be found here.