Your Health and Safety
Coronavirus: Update from Director
Hello Staff,
Please see below letter from our Director regarding the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Click on the thumbnail to open.
March 2020
December 2019
Summer Safety
We’ve always been serious about hot days, it’s time to put good preparation to use.
This summer is tipped to be a hot one, and for some of our regional clients and staff, this means an increased fire risk. For everyone of you, however, there are precautions to take with heat to ensure you and your family remain healthy and safe.
That’s why we’ve created our Summer Info Pack for the first time ever, with:
- Food Preparation Safety
- Heat Wave Safety
- Extreme Fire Danger Safety
- Bushfire Plan
It’s not all doom and gloom though – get out there and have some fun at one of the wonderful accessible beaches around Victoria. We’re big advocates for even more of these inclusive beaches. Check out the ever-growing list at accessiblebeaches.com
Our final page of this guide lists Victorian accessible beaches.
We hope all our staff and clients have a terrific and safe summer period!!
September 2019
RUOK Day – 12 September 2019
This Thursday, 12th of Septmber is RUOK? Day – a national day of action dedicated to inspiring all people of all backgrounds to regularly check in with each other and ask “Are you OK?”
This year’s national theme for RUOK? Day is Trust the Signs, Ask R U OK?
It aims to prevent suicide by encouraging Australians to connect with someone they care about and help stop little problems turning into big ones.
To support and encourage our staff to have important conversations about mental health with their fellow colleagues, clients they support, family or friends, we are hosting an optional training module (unpaid) via our Training Portal on the LCS Website, developed by Beyond Blue “Managing Mental Health Risks at Work”.
This training resource will be available for accessing by all staff from RUOK? Day 2019 indefinitely for your reference throughout your career at LCS. This is because these conversations should not just happen on this annual day, but are something to be aware of every day.
Staying connected with others is crucial to our general health and wellbeing. Feeling isolated or hopeless can contribute to depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. Regular, meaningful conversations can protect those we know and love. A conversation could change a life.
What are the signs someone might need some extra support?
Over the last fortnight, have you noticed two or more of the below?
- Changes to their physical appearance?
- Looking more tired than usual
- Seem “flat” or drained of energy
- Have had a pattern of illness or being constantly run down
- Are complaining of physical health issues, such as headaches/migraines
- Are eating much more or much less than usual
- Are drinking more alcohol than usual
- Seem more fidgety or nervous than usual
- Changes in mood?
- Seem more irritable, snappy, or fly off the handle when they normally wouldn’t
- Appear more anxious or worried about everything ie. work and personal life
- React more emotionally than the situation warrants
- Are quick to anger
- Appear to be overwhelmed by tasks that they had previously found manageable
- Changes in behaviour?
- Struggles to see a positive side eg. “It’s always terrible…”
- Seem to think the worst eg. they might conclude that two people in a meeting are discussing their performance or future in the workplace
- Personalise situations eg. “I knew I’d get the toughest roster – they’ve got it in for me”
- Saying things that sound more confused or irrational
- Complain they have difficulty switching off
If you have noticed two or more of these changes, they might need some extra support. It’s time for you to start a conversation.
If you want to read more on how you can have a conversation with someone you’re worried about, you can read this practical guide (download below).
Help in a Crisis
The truth is, some conversations just become too big for colleagues, families or friends. If you’re worried about someone and feel urgent professional support is needed, contact your local doctor or the agencies below.
Like you, R U OK? is not equipped to offer crisis intervention or expert counselling and our website is no substitute for the professional care available from the following organisations:
13 11 14
Call 24/7 for crisis support
1300 659 467
People at risk of suicide, carers and bereaved
1800 55 1800
Counselling for young people
5-25 years
1300 845 745
Counselling service for people suffering grief.
