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Prof. Frances Kay-Lambkin

Status Update:

The Health-e Mines project has been completed.

Health-e-Mines is a site that provides people with mental health and substance use problems access to clinically proven online programs especially for co-occurring conditions. On the website you can find self-help tools, fact sheets; or you can register for access to more intensive programs. The intensive programs can assist you to overcome substance use and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Health-e-Mines has been developed by a team from the University of Newcastle and the Health-e-Mines resources have all been developed, tested and found to be effective here in Australia.

About

Aim

The aim of this project was to develop, implement and evaluate Health-e mines an online portal that provides a direct, real-time link between coal mining employees and the latest evidence-based online screening, early intervention, and treatment programs for enhancing mental and physical health (including alcohol/other drug [AOD], use and chronic disease risk factor prevention).

This project has 3 key objectives:

To develop an online portal (‘Health-e Mines’) through which Australian coal miners can access confidential, evidence-based online treatments for mental health, alcohol/other drug use, and physical health concerns;

To evaluate the use of Health-e Mines and associated online treatment programs in pilot mine sites in NSW and QLD in terms of feasibility, acceptability, reach, and effectiveness; and

To develop a clear plan for dissemination and sustainability of Health-e Mines beyond the current grant.

Due to previous a research project (working Well) conducted by ACARP, evidence was found that suggested psychological distress and alcohol use were significantly higher in those who work within the coal mining industry when compared to the general working population in Australia. The Working Well project also showed a clear appetite within the sector to address mental health, with evidence supporting the feasibility and acceptability of MATES in mining, a peer based program that focused on suicide prevention and mental health promotion.

The results of this research highlighted the importance of focusing on mental health within the mining industry, with evidence to suggest that mental health problems are common and at least equivalent, if not higher, than the general employed population.

why

Results

After using Health-e Mines, all focus group participants were asked to reflect on the likelihood that they would use Health-e Mines if they were concerned about their own mental health, or how likely they were to recommend Health-e Mines to a colleague if they were concerned about their mental health. As shown in Figure XX, the majority of participants indicated that they were either likely or very likely to use or recommend Health-e Mines if they were concerned about their own or a colleague’s mental health.

Miners provided important insights into how to improve accessibility of the Health-e Mines tool by:

Suggesting regular site visits to promote the tool as a key help-seeking strategy for mental health and well being;
Expanding the tool resources to include modules on relationships, financial advice and hardship.
Regularly updating the tool to ensure it remains current and relevant to miners.
Finding ways to promote the tool in real time and space, rather than solely promoting it online.
Integrating the tool with other mental health and well being initiatives (e.g., MATES in Mining) to provide seamless links with other endorsed services.