Evolving support for workers’ mental health

Background

Launched in 2025, TELUS Health piloted a Worker Mental Health Helpline, that offered free, confidential mental health counselling. This initiative aimed to assist workers in small and medium-sized businesses who did not already have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

As part of RTWI’s commitment to innovation - and our test-and-learn approach - the second year of the pilot will tackle the barriers to engagement and service utilisation identified in the first year.

Beyond Blue will be supporting Victorian workers in the second year of the pilot with “Before Blue”– Worker Mental Health Coaching Program set to begin on 28 April 2026.

What’s changing?

The next phase of the pilot will broaden access and boost engagement with Victorian workers by offering:

• Up to eight free 1:1 sessions with a mental health coach. Includes an initial assessment, 5 treatment sessions and 2 follow-ups.
• Skills based, Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) – practical tools.
• Flexible phone or video sessions.
• Short program (~6 weeks), which fits around work.

This evolution reflects RTWI’s ongoing commitment to delivering services that truly meet workers’ needs, while also building a stronger evidence base for what works to reduce work-related mental injuries and improve return to work outcomes.