Before Blue early intervention mental health program
Delivered by Beyond Blue, Before Blue is available to all Commonwealth employers.
Before Blue is an employee coaching program
Before Blue is a structured program that supports employees to prevent or manage stress early.
Participants have up to 8 sessions over several weeks working with a coach, focusing on practical skill-building towards a goal. The specially trained coaches use low-intensity cognitive behavioural therapy (LiCBT), which is grounded in years of research. LiCBT supports an early intervention approach to mental health, building lasting resilience and coping skills, and helping people get on top of everyday challenges.
Before Blue is suitable for employees who are experiencing day-to-day work or life pressures, such as feelings of worry, stress, anxiety, isolation and being overwhelmed. It can complement other workplace support services such as employee assistance programs, which typically offer counselling sessions to manage ‘in the moment’ issues and give short-term relief.
Before Blue is based on Comcare and Beyond Blue’s successful NewAccess workplaces pilot.
How the coaching works
Before Blue starts with a personalised assessment to determine your needs. Then, together with your coach and supported by weekly progress monitoring, you will work to:
- talk through your challenges
- develop a problem statement
- create a plan based on your needs
- walk through your plan
- learn practical skills
- review progress.
Your coach will select practical activities to complete between sessions, and you’ll be supported with access to videos, podcasts and interactive tools with relatable stories.
Before Blue benefits employees and the workplace
Before Blue shows measurable, sustained improvement in people’s mental health. It’s also proven to boost employee engagement and productivity.
A holistic approach
Work and personal issues are deeply interconnected, and challenges in one area often affect the other. That’s why Before Blue focuses on the whole person, using a non-clinical approach that aims to destigmatise mental health and empower people with skills.
The program supports people with:
- work-related issues like work demands, role anxiety and interpersonal relationships
- personal issues like family stress, personal health and caring responsibilities.
Participants gain strategies and tools that can be used in both personal life and at work.
Measurable outcomes
An independent evaluation of the NewAccess workplaces pilot found that participants experienced significant improvements in their wellbeing and symptoms, with 92% of them sustaining improvements even after 6 months. These outcomes continue to be observed in Before Blue, with participant surveying demonstrating:
- 98% were satisfied with the program
- 92% reported that their mental health had improved
- 95% felt more able to cope with mental health challenges
- 98% felt heard and seen by the coach.
Participants have reported achieving personal outcomes such as gaining confidence to lead more effectively and learning strategies to manage anxieties.
How your agency can join Before Blue
If your organisation is a Commonwealth entity they can participate in Before Blue by signing up to the deed of standing offer between Comcare and Beyond Blue.
Email Comcare at beforeblue@comcare.gov.au to find out more.
