G U I DA N C E
Beyond Blue. A free, online training guide on supporting an employee with a mental health problem. Accessible from: https://elearn.headsup.org.au/course/view.php?id=2 6.
HSE Talking Toolkit. A guide for line managers on having initial conversations with employees regarding work-related stress. Accessible from: https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/assets/docs/ stress-talking-toolkit.pdf
7.
NHS self-help guides and tools on exercise for mental health. Accessible from: https://www. nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/exercise-for-depression/
8.
Mental Health Foundation guidance on diet and mental health. Accessible from: https:// www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/d/diet-and-mental-health
9.
Mind guidance on diet and mental health. Tips and a video on “food and mood”. Accessible from: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/food-andmood/about-food-and-mood/
10. Better Health (NHS UK). Amongst other resources, this website lists apps that can assist in improving exercise, alcohol consumption and dietary habits (scroll to the end of the page for the list of apps). Accessible from: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/#apps-and-tools 11. Beyond Blue. This organisation works in partnership with governments, local health services, educational institutions, workplaces, media and community organisations, as well as the general community to raise community awareness about anxiety and depression and reduce the associated stigma. Accessible from: http://beyondblue.org.au/
PARLIAMENTARY CONVERSATIONS IN THE COMMONWEALTH: A CPA PODCAST Parliamentary Conversations in the Commonwealth, a CPA podcast, gives a voice to parliamentarians, civil society experts and activists across the Commonwealth to discuss common democratic challenges and share their ideas on what can be done to solve them. In a recent episode former Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, discussed women in politics and mental health. Accessible from: https:// www.cpahq.org/knowledgecentre/cpa-podcast/
C. Organisational support There are various support organisations that Parliaments may partner with to provide mental health support for Parliamentarians and parliamentary support staff. In our survey, several respondents indicated the use of employee assistance programmes (EAPs) as their main mental health and wellness service providers. In addition, some Parliaments offer on-site occupational health nurses and/or doctors to address mental and other health needs on a regular basis. Smaller parliaments might also use shared services with wider public service/government. This should be considered for economies of scale. Given the spectrum and course of mental ill health and the levels of intervention at primary, secondary and tertiary levels (see p.13), all these services should ideally be integrated when available. Standard screening and referral processes for mental health support should be in place at each contact point: EAPs should know when and how to refer clients to occupational, community health or specialised services where necessary, while occupational health services should also appropriately refer clients to community health or specialised services as needed. In
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