All staff in the Australian breeding industry will have round the clock access to mental health professionals through a new support line launched by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA).
The Stud Staff Support Line provides access to free, independent and confidential face-to-face or phone counselling sessions at a time and location that suits staff. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and anybody working directly in breeding can access the service by calling 1300 822 935 and scheduling an appointment with a counsellor. Immediate support is also available.
To access the service for free, people need to quote Thoroughbred Breeders Australia when they call, although no information will be shared with TBA. Personal details and what you choose to discuss with the counsellor will remain completely confidential. “This is an important service for the industry and I’m pleased that TBA are able to provide it,” said Basil Nolan, president of TBA. “I would urge anybody who is thinking of calling to go ahead and do it.” The service is provided by AccessEAP on behalf of TBA. They operate independently and have a network of over 2,000 psychologists and clinical
professionals around the country with a minimum of 5 years postgraduate clinical supervised experience.
In addition to the support line, staff can download the AccessMyEAP app to make an appointment, as well as access a range of tools and resources to support mental health and wellbeing. “We really encourage employers to make their staff aware of the support line and how to use it,” said Cecelia O’Gorman from TBA. “To help with this, we have designed some simple posters that can be downloaded from the TBA website and displayed around the farm in areas such as: staff housing, the office, yearling barn, feed shed and so on. “It’s a great resource and people can use it discuss anything that might be affecting their mental health and wellbeing – whether it be personal or work related.” All staff will have access to three free counselling sessions annually. Should you and your psychologist decide more sessions would be appropriate they will help transition you onto a Mental Health Care Plan which is Medicare supported.
Stud Staff Support Line Frequently Asked Questions
I need to talk to somebody, what do I do?
Simply call 1300 822 935 and tell them you are calling from Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. You can make an appointment to speak to a trained psychologist or, if it’s urgent, ask to speak to a counsellor straight away. The line is open 24 hours a day, all year round.
What kind of problems can I call about?
The psychologists and counsellors are trained to talk to you about any issues that may be affecting your mental health. This could be anxiety, stress, depression, gambling issues, financial concerns, relationship matters, issues caused by alcohol or drug use, work place problems and so on.
Is this service free?
Yes, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is providing the service to all staff in the breeding industry. You will have access to three free counselling sessions annually. Should you and your psychologist decide more sessions would be appropriate they will help transition you onto a Mental Health Care Plan which is Medicare supported.
Is it really confidential?
The counsellors are bound by strict codes of practice and none of your personal details will be passed on to TBA or your employer. A psychologist can only break confidentiality if they think you are at risk of harming yourself or another person.
I work long hours and won’t be able to attend appointments?
AccessEAP, who run the Stud Staff Support Line, are available around the clock and will be able to provide a phone appointment at a time that works for you.
How do I use the AccessMyEAP App?
Downloading and setting up the app only takes a couple of minutes.
1. Download the AccessMyEAP app for free via the App Store or Google Play.
2. Select ‘Register for New Account’.
3. E nter your name, personal email address and create a password.
4. Enter the domain name: tbaus.com
You’ll now receive a verification email and once you’ve clicked on that, you are good to go. You can use the app to schedule appointments via phone or video- chat, access 24/7 support, and keep track of your mental health and wellbeing via the Wellbeing Tracker.
