WORKERS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICE

SOCIAL WORKERS MARNEE REVILL AND KARINA MAXWELL FROM THE THE WORKERS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL

SUPPORT SERVICE PROVIDE SUPPORT TO UNION MEMBERS TO GET THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.

HELP IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY

BY KARINA MAXWELL - SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER WORKERS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICE

The Workers’ Psychological Support Service is here to support workers who are going through a psychological injury due to the workplace.

This service has been running since February 2019 and has now expanded! It started off with myself - Karina Maxwell as the sole Social Worker, (Union Delegate for The Services Union, SACS Industry Committee member and Executive member) and now has a second social worker, Marnee Revill who is also heavily involved with TSU and a member.

Our service is here to support Queensland workers state-wide who are going through either a primary psychological injury or secondary psychological injury (where the primary injury is physical) and we can provide advice and links to community supports such as counselling (usually within two weeks), information about housing (although limited), financial support (also limited), workers compensation processes and anything else that is needed to get through a difficult time.

Workers do not need to be in the workers compensation system to access this service. We can even provide advice/links for people who are caring or concerned about someone with a workplace psychological injury.

There is no wrong door to our service. If you are unsure if we can help, please contact us and ask. The service is Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

With having run this service for over three and a half years, we have gathered a lot of information and built on our community services directory to ensure we provide extensive advice to workers. This service is: • Confidential - with the only times this confidentiality is broken is if we are concerned that a worker will harm themselves or others; • Independent – it is not part of WorkCover, we don’t talk to employers etc; and • Most importantly the service is free! This is because the service is

Government funded.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST A PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY IN THE WORKPLACE.

Obviously not all psychological injuries can be prevented but there are quite a few that can be.

SELF-CARE - If you are working in an industry where you are exposed to stressful and challenging situations, it is important to regularly look after yourself and take time-out from your job. Outside of work, this could be going to regular events such as trivia nights, or karaoke. Spending time with family and friends, doing jigsaw puzzles, getting in touch with nature, like going for walks, or spending time at the beach, or camping. Other options might be singing and dancing to music (on your own or with others). The type of self-care is as unique as each human being is, it is about finding what fits right for the individual.

BOUNDARIES. Having strong boundaries is important. Most of us are dedicated and passionate about our jobs. But it is important to take time out from work. Leave work at work … if you can … of course at times there are exceptions to this rule, but if most of the time, we can switch off from work its wonderful!

DOCUMENT AND BACKUP. If things are going wrong, or you feel you are being treated unfairly or bullied. The best bet is to document this in detail. Either straight away, or soon after the incident happens when you feel you are able to. Even if you don’t do anything further with this, sometimes it can be a great therapeutic process to write it all down. Please make sure your notes are secure and no-one else has access to these. And contact the Union for any advice regarding industrial support in this area.

TALK TO YOUR SUPPORT PEOPLE. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, talk to those who love you the most. Like your partner, family and/or friends. Don’t feel you are burdening them, you would want them to talk to you when stressed, therefore talk to them if you are feeling stressed.

PUT YOURSELF AS A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. When you are feeling vulnerable, and overwhelmed, the most important thing is to put your wellbeing as the number one priority. Keep checking in on yourself.

Most importantly, if you are unable to minimize the impact on your mental wellbeing, call the Union. That is what they are there for. I have had my own past experiences of psychological injury and cannot praise The Services Union enough for their support towards me at a very difficult time.

Most importantly … feel free to contact this service and talk to myself or Marnee. For yourself, or if you are worried about someone else, by all means pass on our details. We are here to help. We can provide links to counsellors/psychologists and other services as well as advice, or just a sympathetic ear. Stay safe and take care.