Partners in Mining

The Partners in Mining program was developed as a free group information and support program for those in the Hunter mining community who support a person experiencing problems with their mental health.

The program was suitable for current, retrenched or retired miners, mining contractors, their partners, friends and family members in the Hunter region. It was free and confidential, and based on the successful national Partners in Depression program.

Program aims

The Partners in Mining program aimed to:

• Adapt the Partners in Depression program to be relevant for mine workers and their families
• Pilot the Partners in Mining program with a local mining community
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Partners in Mining program and identify dissemination and sustainability options.

What did participants learn from the program?

• knowledge about mental health
• practical tips on how to support someone experiencing problems with their mental health
• self-care to look after their own mental health
• communication skills
• where and how to access support services for the person they were supporting.

The Partners in Mining program was a collaborative initiative between Everymind and Coal Services Health and was funded by Coal Services Health & Safety Trust.