The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) has launched its latest effort to support the mental health and resilience of its members with the free MineWell mobile app.
Developed by miners for miners, the app aims to reduce stress and improve wellbeing for MCA’s 250,000-strong workforce.
According to MCA, the number-one value and commitment of the Australian minerals industry is the safety and health of its workforce, where everyone goes to work and returns home safely.
“Today’s launch of the MineWell app is a great step forward in making help available to mining workers and their families who may be going through a tough time because of long hours, separation, isolation or financial stress,” the MCA stated.
“In particular, many fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in longer shifts and more time away from family and friends.
“MineWell is a preventative mental health and wellbeing app developed by the MCA and Utility Creative to provide prevention, intervention and education in mental health and wellbeing for Australian mining workers and their families.”
All personal information provided by app users remains private, is only stored on their device and cannot be accessed, viewed or gathered by others.
Features include personalised scheduling for shift workers to promote better sleep and alertness while on shift, advice and exercises for improving sleep quality, staying active and positive and staying well during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also includes a social connection tool to schedule anniversaries, birthdays, catch-ups with family and friends and other important events, as well as a crisis response tool for direct calls to MATES in Mining, Lifeline, Beyondblue and other help services.
“Mental health is central to health and safety, building on the Australian mining sector’s world leadership in workplace health and safety, and the MCA and its partners have worked over many years to build industry understanding and capacity including through the Blueprint for Mental Health and Wellbeing industry guide,” MCA stated.
MineWell has been developed based on feedback from focus groups and user testing by Australian miners.
It is free for all mine workers and their families.