MEN working in Australia’s male-dominated industries will soon have access to better support for mental well-being with the launch a new smartphone app supported by mental health awareness group beyondblue.

Set to be trialled by 60,000 men working in industries such as farming, construction, resources and emergency services, The Men@Work app offers an integrative program to develop personalised mental health plans.

Beyondblue chief Georgie Harman said the workplace played a critical role in helping men tackle depression and anxiety.

“Many men spend most of their waking hours within the workplace and it can be an important source of support,” she said.

“However, many men struggle to reach out for help because they fear what other people might think and are scared about what might happen to their careers.

“This app will help men get around this by offering personalised and confidential guidance as well as additional information on where to seek appropriate support.”

Funded by donations from men’s health advocate the Movember Foundation, the app launched as part of National Mental Health Week and forms one of eight programs comprising Movember Foundation’s $22.3 million Australian Mental Health Initiative.

“Men@Work will allow thousands of men to develop personalised mental health plans for the first time that they can update to assess their mental health and see how they can improve their wellbeing,” director of Movember Foundation Jeremy Macvean said.

“This project highlights how important the support of the Movember community is to enable us to reach men in different areas of their lives, including their workplace.”

In addition to the app, an accompanying program will see managers receive training to develop the confidence to approach a worker who may potentially be facing mental health challenges.

The project has also gained the support of other key mental health awareness groups, including the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney, and the Black Dog Institute, which will oversee rollout to a range of urban and rural workplaces.

Resource industry committed to mental well-being

According to beyondblue, the Men@Work app will complement the HeadsUp campaign launched earlier this year in partnership with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance to tackle mental health in the workplace.

National resource employer group AREEA is an advocate for the HeadsUp campaign and is committed to mental well-being throughout the Australian mining, oil and gas sectors, continuing to work closely with beyondblue to keep mental health at the top of the industry’s priority list.

If you would like to learn more about how you can take part in the HeadsUp campaign, contact AREEA events and corporate partnerships manager Samantha Edmunds on 1800 627 771.