Whether you’re struggling to find your keys, need a second pair of eyes on a piece of writing, or you’re searching for ‘how to’ videos on YouTube, we all need a little support sometimes. Mental health is no different. There’s nothing worse than struggling alone, so when things get tough, a helping hand, a supportive ear, or a shoulder to cry on can be just what we need. This is why it’s so important to reach out and offer support to friends, loved ones, or colleagues who may be going through a difficult time. 

However, this can be easier said than done. It’s often difficult to identify who actually needs support, and even more challenging to figure out how to offer support in a constructive, non-judgmental way. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to providing social support in times of need. We cover the importance of a strong support network, how to identify the signs, practical ways to offer support, and how to care for your own mental wellbeing in the process. 

Before we get started, it’s important to note that supporting others should not come at the expense of your own wellbeing. It’s essential to strike a balance between being supportive, and not overloading yourself. This may mean not biting off more than you can chew when another, more qualified person may be able to offer support, ensuring you don’t dedicate so much time to others that you leave none for yourself, and ensuring that any situations where you are offering support are not mentally, physically, or emotionally triggering. 

For more tips on striking this balance, be sure to check out our blog post about Developing your mental health self care plan. 

What is a social support network (and why is it important)? 

Put simply, a social support network is a group of people who you can turn to for support in times of need — particularly if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. This network may include family, friends, colleagues, or even online communities. 

Building your social support network can be as simple as identifying the people in your life with whom you feel comfortable sharing important thoughts and feelings. 

It is also important to note that you shouldn’t feel pressured to include someone in your support network if you don’t feel comfortable sharing with them — no matter how ‘close’ you are in other areas of life. If someone doesn’t quite understand what you are going through, or offers unnecessary judgment, turning to them for support can be counterproductive.

According to Very Well, some of the key benefits of social support include increased motivation, healthier choices, and reduced stress. They add, “Psychologists and other mental health professionals often talk about the importance of having a strong social support network. When trying to reach our goals or deal with a crisis, experts frequently implore people to lean on their friends and family for support. Research has also demonstrated the link between social relationships and many different aspects of health and wellness.”

Due to COVID-19, offering social support in person is more difficult than usual, leading many to seek online alternatives. A few helpful resources for online social support include Beyond Blue’s forum, the Australian Government’s Head to Health website, as well as Facebook communities such as Blokes vs Black Dog. 

In order to offer social support, it is important to be able to recognise common warning signs.

The number one rule is simple: a change is worth a check-in. In essence, if you notice a change in a friend or loved one’s behaviour — particularly if they start behaving more erratically — it’s worth checking in. It rarely hurts to ask “are you okay?”. Ideally, the change may have a simple explanation, but it’s usually worth asking, just in case. 

Additionally, the American Psychiatric Association lists a number of common signs that someone may be experiencing mental health issues, including: 

Drop in functioning at work, school, or socially

Beyond Blue also offers several common warning signs, such as: 

Withdrawing from close family and friends

Avoidance of situations that result in anxiety

If you’re worried a friend or loved one is exhibiting some of these signs, a good first step before reaching out can be completing this checklist. While the K10 checklist should not be substituted for a professional diagnosis, it is a quick and confidential way to attain further insight and serves as a good guideline. 

Finally, it’s important to remember everyone will exhibit different signs in different ways, so the above lists are by no means comprehensive. Instead, remember the number one rule: a change is worth a check-in. 

According to Health Behaviour and Health Education, there are four types of social support: 

Emotional support is defined as “expressions of empathy, love, trust, and caring”. An example of this type of support may be a friend offering a kind, empathetic ear during a difficult time. 

Instrumental support means offering “tangible aid and service”. An example of this type of support may be parents offering to assist with childcare while you are recovering from a broken leg. 

Informational support includes offering “advice, suggestions, and information”. An example of this type of support may be a friend offering information and advice about a similar situation they experienced recently. 

Finally, Appraisal support is “information that is useful for self-evaluation“. An example of this type of support may be reminding a friend of all their positive qualities when they are feeling particularly down, to help them realise they are capable of overcoming a stressful situation. 

Obviously, different types of support are appropriate in different situations, so it is important to take individual context into consideration when reaching out to offer support. Generally, you will know the person you are offering support to well enough to ascertain what will best suit their needs in that moment. 

It may also help to make a support plan in advance, to ensure you don’t become overwhelmed while offering support, and are able to stay calm in the moment.

Above all else, lending a kind, compassionate, and non-judgmental ear to ensure a loved one’s problems don’t remain bottled up can often be all the support someone needs. For more information on starting these important conversations, check out our article There’s more to say after R U OK?: Keeping the conversation going. 

Maintaining your own mental health while providing support

As mentioned, supporting others while maintaining your own mental health can be a delicate balancing act. To help you achieve this balance, Go1 has a number of useful resources. 

For starters, you can check out our article What’s your stress score?, as well as Stress management: how to use meditation to manage stress.

We’re also offering a number of free courses from providers such as Beyond Blue and Blisspot throughout October to support World Mental Health Day on October 10th. To access your free courses, simply visit mentalhealthmonth.mygo1.com and sign up! 

Lastly, for a full list of upcoming events and resources to support mental health awareness, you can go to Introducing Go1’s ‘Learning with Purpose’ initiative for mental health awareness. 

As always, please remember, if you are experiencing significant distress, you can reach out to Lifeline 131 114 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 for immediate support. If you, or anyone you know, is feeling suicidal you can also call the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 for immediate support.

For more insights, be sure to subscribe to the Go1 newsletter to stay on top of all the latest L&D trends. Or, you can book a demo today to find out how Go1 can help with your team’s learning needs.

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When things get tough, a helping hand, a supportive ear, or a shoulder to cry on can be just what we need. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to providing social support in times of need.

How to provide social support in times of need

When things get tough, a helping hand, a supportive ear, or a shoulder to cry on can be just what we need. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide to providing social support in times of need. 

Nearly half of Australians (45.5%) will experience a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime, including 20% over the last 12 months. With 2020 proving to be a particularly challenging year (to say the least), it has never been more important to take the time to start open, meaningful dialogues about mental health, and honestly assess your own mental wellbeing. 

The good news is that the number of Australians seeking support continues to rise, with 4.3 million people receiving mental health-related prescriptions in 2018-19. We want that positive trajectory to continue, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and supported accessing mental health support services. 

With this in mind, we’re very excited to introduce Go1’s new Learning with Purpose initiative, in the lead up to World Mental Health Day on October 10th. 

At Go1, we believe in lifelong learning, as well as learning as an avenue for positive social and mental wellbeing. So, in addition to donations and traditional corporate social responsibility, Go1 launched our Social Impact initiative in 2019. This initiative aims to enact positive, real-world change. The process is simple: we’re connecting workforces to learning created by organisations that are on the frontline of social change. 

To achieve this, Go1 has partnered with leading organisations to train more than 300,000 people worldwide in domestic and family violence prevention and mental health awareness, providing over $250,000 AUD back to a range of NFP organisations. 

With World Mental Health Day on the horizon, our Learning with Purpose initiative follows a simple, three-step method:

Partner with leading organisations such as Lifeline and Beyond Blue to add their resources to workplace learning libraries. 

Consult with experts to determine how that learning fits into the broader picture (often on live webinars for the public). 

Design learning playlists so that people at work can find the content they need, when they need it.

For more information about Go1’s Learning with Purpose initiative, be sure to check out our corporate social responsibility page. 

Organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10th each year, with a stated purpose of “...[providing] an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.” 

This year, we’re taking things a step further. During October, Go1 is placing a month-long spotlight on mental health to support this excellent cause, with the aim of reducing stigma, increasing awareness, and starting important conversations. 

To promote mental health awareness, we have broken the month down into four key topics: Stigma, Self-Care, Crisis and Advising Others. To support these themes, we’ve created a number of helpful blog articles, including an in-depth guide for Developing your mental health self care plan as well as some practical tips for Reducing mental health stigma at work.

We’ll be publishing more mental health and wellbeing articles all throughout the month, so be sure to check back in with our blog regularly for more useful tips, resources, and expert advice! 

All throughout October, we will also be hosting a number of live events to support mental health awareness via our Learning with Purpose initiative. 

Follow the links below to learn more or register for each of these live events. See you there! 

October 6th: Real Life Stories; Battling the Stigma of Mental Illness


October 9th: How to Conquer Life Invaded by Mental Illness


October 13th: What Does Effective Self-Care and Sleep Look Like Today?


October 30th: Mental Health Training for Small Business

Finally, Go1 is offering a number of free courses throughout mental health month, which have been specially curated to support positive mental health and wellbeing. From sleep to self-care to simply taking some time to check in with your feelings, there’s something helpful for everyone. 

Mental Health Continuum: Checking in with yourself


To explore Go1’s entire free mental health awareness playlist, please visit the mental health month playlist and sign up to get started. You can also check out our corporate social responsibility page for more information on Go1’s Learning with Purpose initiative. 

At Go1, we believe in lifelong learning, as well as learning as an avenue for positive social and mental wellbeing. So, we’re very excited to introduce Go1’s new Learning with Purpose initiative, in the lead up to World Mental Health Day on October 10th. 

Learning with purpose' inititative for mental health - Go1

Introducing Go1’s ‘Learning with Purpose’ initiative for mental health awareness

At any given time 1 in 5 Australian employees are likely to be experiencing a mental health condition. 

With so many people suffering in silence from the effects of anxiety, panic and depression – possibly even that person you talk to every day who always seems fine – why is there still such a stigma attached to talking about mental health? 

Mental health stigma poses significant barriers to participation in the workforce, as well as many other areas of life. Eliminating this stigma while increasing mental health awareness can support employees to seek help sooner, recover faster and maintain productivity. 

When the word ‘stigma’ is used, it generally focuses on the uninformed and negative attitudes held by many in the general community based on distinguishing characteristics such as a mental illness, health conditions, or disability.  

While stigma is not limited to just mental conditions, it’s been clear that attitudes towards psychiatric illnesses tend to be more negative than that toward medical conditions. A SANE Australia survey found that almost three-quarters of respondents living with a mental illness (74%) had experienced stigma.  

Other research has shown that stigma is one of the leading risk factors contributing to poor mental health outcomes - leading to delays in treatment and reducing the chance that a person with mental illness will receive appropriate care.  

To truly debunk the myths around stigma, we need to understand that it comes in many shapes and forms. It is important to note that improving one component may not necessarily impact the others. These include: 

personal stigma ‐ a person’s stigmatising attitudes and beliefs about other people (“People with depression should snap out of it.”)  

perceived stigma ‐ a person’s beliefs about the negative and stigmatising views that other people hold (“Most people believe that a person with depression should snap out of it.”)  

self‐stigma ‐ the stigmatising views that individuals hold about themselves (“I should be able to snap out of my depression.”)  

While people have become more informed about mental disorders in general, stigma continues to be a reality. Some elements of how stigma is perpetuated include: 

perceptions that a person is ‘weak, not sick’ – “My father and my sister don’t believe in mental illness. If you can’t cope with something it’s a weakness of character, not an actual illness.” Person with depression 

perceived danger – “All mentally ill are tainted by reports of the extremely unusual ‘crazy and dangerous’. As if at any time, they could become horrific mass murderers!” BeyondBlue blueVoices member 

beliefs that a person is responsible and can control his/her condition – “Most people seem to think depression is...something that is within your character to control.” Person with a mental health condition 

feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment – “You keep it to yourself because you’re ashamed of it.” Person with depression 

a reluctance to disclose a diagnosis, due to concerns about discrimination and harassment – “When he [husband] was looking at applying for jobs, his psychiatrist said, ‘I wouldn’t mention he’s got a mental illness. They don’t need to know’.” Carer 

a desire for social distance ‐ “I lost quite a few friends because they were scared of me or didn’t know how to treat me.” Person with depression and anxiety 

Workplaces can benefit by fostering an attitude of support for employees who are struggling with mental health concerns in the following ways: 

Reduced turnover and costs associated with recruitment and training 

Attraction of qualified talent that prefers a workplace that supports mental health 

Reduced sick leave as employees are supported to remain productive at work 

Corporate and social responsibility in providing a workplace that is supportive of all employees 

Improved performance by supporting employees to contribute their best work 

With concerns about mental health continually rising in Australia, it’s never been more important for organisations to know how to support their employees, while providing a positive work culture and environment for all staff.  

Some effective strategies and good practices that protect and promote mental health in the workplace are as follows: 

Communicating about mental illness across the whole organisation can help to reduce fear, stigma, and discrimination in the workplace. 

Establishing a culture that is conducive to supporting employees’ mental health can be achieved by raising awareness of workplace programs and policies that promote mental health and wellness. 

Increasing awareness through online training 

Mental health training equips employees with the skills and knowledge they need to manage their own mental health and support others in their workplace. 

Online training also helps managers to identify the signs and symptoms of mental distress, and the available employee tools and supports available. By investing time into more learning, managers can feel more equipped and ready to help staff who may be experiencing the problems of low mental health.  

Encourage senior executives to demonstrate leadership around mental health. 

Providing access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or other appropriate referral resources can help assist employees. 

When it comes to reducing stigma and improving the lives of people affected by mental health issues, everyone has a role to play. Challenging the stigma associated with mental illness takes understanding, education and a closer look at our own attitudes toward health. Together we can build informed and inclusive workplaces that understand and openly address the subject of mental illness. 

💡 Check out this free course by the Mental Health Movement - Mental Health Continuum: Checking in with Yourself

Real Life Stories: Battling the Stigma of Mental Illness 

Get a first-hand look at the challenges and triumphs associated with managing and recovering from mental illness as our speakers share their unique stories of recovery, support and resilience. [Register here]

Tackling Mental Health: A Conversation on Resilience with Dan Hunt and Jason Nightingale 

Both former professional NRL players, Dan and Jason know a thing or two about resilience - on and off the field. They also share a passion for breaking down the stigma around mental health, and for helping to empower individuals with the skills and resilience they need to better support themselves. [Watch here]

Please remember, if you are experiencing significant distress, please reach out to Lifeline 131 114 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636. If you, or anyone you know, is feeling suicidal you can also call the Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 for immediate support. 

Eliminating this stigma while increasing mental health awareness can support employees to seek help sooner, recover faster and maintain productivity. 

Reducing mental health stigma at work 

For more insights, be sure to subscribe to the Go1 newsletter to stay on top of all the latest L&D trends. Or, you can book a demo today to find out how Go1 can help with your team’s learning needs.To say 2020 has been a challenging year so far would be an understatement. COVID-19 has thrown many best laid plans into disarray, while lockdowns, working from home, global events, and other disruptions to daily life have had an understandable impact on many people’s mental health. 

To take my own advice (more on that soon!), the best way to look at this may be by reframing it from a negative to a positive, and viewing these disruptions as an opportunity to double down and prioritise self-care. While this might seem like an intimidating task at first glance, really, it’s an opportunity to make more time for the things you love, and less time for unhelpful activities. 

With this in mind, we’ve put together a handy guide to developing your personalised mental health self-care plan, brimming with tips, helpful resources, and clear steps to start putting your self-care first! 

As with anything, it’s important to get the basics right. Most of us probably know that optimal self-care means getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet. We also know that this is far easier said than done, especially when it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. Here are a few ideas to kick-start your self-care routine.  

When it comes to sleep, the recommended guideline is 7-9 hours per night for most adults. Of course, this can vary from person to person, but it serves as a good starting point. Still, 7-9 hours doesn’t just mean lying in bed tossing and turning all night; quality, restful sleep starts with good sleep hygiene. To improve your sleep hygiene, a few common suggestions include avoiding blue light emitting electronic devices an hour before bedtime, sticking to the same sleep schedule everyday (yes, even on weekends), optimising your mattress and pillows, and avoiding stimulants like alcohol and caffeine close to bedtime. Sweet dreams! 

Exercise is another important self-care activity, to get your heart pumping and endorphins flowing. According to Australia’s national exercise guidelines, adults should aim for between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate intensity physical exercise per week, 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week, or any combination thereof. Again, this is a rough guideline, and won’t suit everyone, but it serves as a helpful starting point. 

So, whether you’re a runner, swimmer, or cyclist, or prefer yoga, Pilates, weightlifting, or even just a brisk afternoon walk with your dog, setting aside enough time for exercise each week is great for both your mental and physical health! 

Now, onto the fun part: food. To be clear, diet doesn’t - and shouldn’t - mean starving yourself, skipping meals, or following strenuous diet plans (unless advised by a medical professional, of course). In a self-care context, diet can simply mean eating a healthy, balanced, and delicious mixture of foods. Again, this will mean different things to different people, so we’re not here to tell you exactly what to eat, although following general guidelines like eating your 5+ fruit and veg a day can be a good place to start. 

One super helpful tip for diet self-care can simply be setting aside a little extra time to plan and prepare meals. When deadlines are looming or you're exhausted from work, it can be tempting to skip lunch, grab whatever's quick and convenient, or simply hit order on your favourite Uber Eats meal (we all have one!). Instead, setting aside a little extra time whenever possible to treat yourself to a nice, healthy home-made meal can make a world of difference to your wellbeing. You might even discover your inner gourmet chef and pick up a new hobby along the way! Who knew self-care could taste so good? 

With COVID-19 forcing many of us to work from home in recent months, setting and maintaining a healthy work-life balance has become a pressing challenge. With work always accessible, and no bus ride, train ride, or commute to clearly delineate ‘work mode’ and ‘home mode’, it’s never been more important to set clear work-life boundaries. Here are a few tips for self-care at work. 

As many of us will already know, setting work-life boundaries is easier said than done. If you’re working from home, it can be tempting to spend another 30 minutes replying to emails, send a quick reply to that Slack message before going to sleep, or open your laptop on Saturday to check on that big project. Before you know it, you don’t remember where work ends and leisure begins. To reclaim your home life, a good place to start is setting and maintaining a regular work schedule. This may mean logging on at 9, logging off at 5, and taking lunch at 12 every day. No exceptions. Communicate this schedule with other team members, making it clear that you will not be available outside of these hours. 

For some, calendars and other organisational or planning tools can be a good way to achieve this goal. Other tips include setting up a dedicated work area in your home and leaving that area once work is finished to achieve a clearer delineation between work and home lives, as well as getting outside at least once a day to refresh and separate from work, and trying a digital detox some evenings to ensure you’re not always connected to work. If you’re still struggling, Black Dog Institute has also put together this handy work-life balance checklist. 

For more tips on setting healthy boundaries, check out our blog post on Why setting boundaries at work is essential for mental wellbeing. 

It can be common to feel stressed or overwhelmed at work, especially right now. Some of your team members probably feel the same way. Hopefully, you are in a working environment where you feel comfortable and supported expressing these feelings to your manager. This can be a good thing to bring up during regular 1:1 check ins, to avoid burning out and ensure self-care is being prioritised along with achieving your workload. If you are unable to communicate this to your manager, or simply feel uncomfortable doing so, an alternative may be to express these feelings to a co-worker you trust. 

For more information, check out our tips on How to manage employees’ mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Safe Work Australia, “sitting for longer than 30 minutes without a mini-break and sitting all day at work (being ‘too busy’ to take a break) are likely to be detrimental to your health.” As such, if you work in a largely sedentary occupation, it is important to take consistent mini-breaks throughout the day to ensure you don’t remain seated for too long. Whether that means getting up to make a coffee, stretching for a few minutes, moving to a standing desk, or just walking around for a minute or two, mini-breaks are vital for your self-care at work. 

Self-care breaks can also mean taking the time to do something you love during your lunch break, to help you relax and refresh. This may mean getting in some quick yoga, reading, listening to your favourite music or podcast, meditating, or just going for a nice, relaxing walk.

When things start to feel a little too much, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to hit ‘pause’ and make time to honestly evaluate your thoughts and feelings. This is where psychological self-care can be essential. There are lots of things you can do daily, weekly, or just whenever you need a quick reset to show yourself some love and look after your psychological self-care! 

Please note, I am not a qualified psychological expert, so if you are experiencing an urgent mental health crisis or psychological distress, we recommend seeking help from a medical professional, or reaching out to a dedicated mental health support service, such as Beyond Blue, Lifeline, or Headspace. 

Flowing on from our earlier emphasis on exercise (say that five times fast), yoga can be a great way to prioritise your psychological self-care. Whether your back and wrists need a little extra attention after sitting at a computer all day (with plenty of mini-breaks, of course), or you just feel like getting the blood flowing during your lunch break, a quick yoga flow can do wonders. 

While unfortunately not all of us can make it to an in-person yoga class at the moment due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are still plenty of options for those looking to practice yoga from the comforts of home. Popular YouTube channels like Yoga With Adriene offer at-home yoga videos with varying levels of length and difficulty, meaning you can do anything from a 10 minute beginner flow, to a 1-hour advanced session. 

As mentioned, taking the time to check in with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions can make a world of difference to your psychological wellbeing. This is where mindfulness meditation can be a life changer. Taking ten to fifteen minutes to forget about your worries and just focus on your breathing, surroundings, or body can provide the mental reset you need to approach the rest of your day refreshed and full of positivity. 

Another great way to look after your psychological self-care is by reframing negative thoughts. Obviously, this is far easier said than done, and likely isn’t something you can achieve overnight. However, once you get into the habit, reframing negative thoughts can make a massive difference to your outlook. This doesn’t mean lying to yourself or denying reality (sometimes, things really can suck, and it’s okay to admit that), but rather trying to find a positive framing or silver lining to these negative thoughts. 

According to Bc.S. and Psychologist Joaquín Selva, “At times, ‘the power of positive thinking’ sounds like it’s just a pseudo-inspirational cliché. In this case, though, having healthy beliefs about oneself can lead to more positive automatic thoughts, which can indeed be beneficial. Most importantly, thinking positive thoughts and having positive beliefs is absolutely free of cost, so it doesn’t hurt to try it out.” 

Sometimes, this can even be as simple as taking time to reflect on one positive thing you achieved each day, or something you’re particularly awesome at or proud of. Techniques such as mood boards or reflective journals can also be useful in developing this habit, while this article from Positive Psychology provides examples of positive and negative framing, as well as 5 worksheets to help you conquer negative thoughts. 

Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between, self-care doesn’t have to be a solo activity. While lockdown restrictions have certainly made it difficult to catch up with friends and family as often as many of us would like, it’s still important to prioritise emotional and interpersonal self-care - even if you can’t be in the same room! Here are a few tips. 

It may sound obvious, but making time for things you love should be near the top of your self-care to do list. When work, family, and social pressures are all competing for your attention, it can be all too easy to let your hobbies fall by the wayside. While this can sometimes be unavoidable, it can also have a negative impact on your self-care and mental health. 

Try to make time at least once a week for something you love. Whether that’s baking, art, reading, writing, music, or anything else, making time for your hobbies can often be just what you need. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself later! 

Once again, when deadlines and commitments are closing in from all angles, it can be easy to let close relationships slip. We’ve all been there. However, when appropriate, taking the time to prioritise close relationships with friends, family, and other loved ones can provide just the spark your self-care routine needs. Whether that’s a Zoom call with friends, quality time with family, or even spending a bit of extra time with your pet, a little interpersonal connection can go a long way. 

While prioritising your own self-care is vital, checking in on others can be just as important. As long as it doesn’t come at the expense of your own wellbeing (it’s important to strike an appropriate balance between looking after yourself and looking after others), checking in with close friends, family, and even co-workers can make a world of difference. 

Opening up a trusting, compassionate, and honest dialogue about mental health and self-care with a loved one can be mutually beneficial, ensuring you always have an empathetic ear to go to with any stresses or problems, and vice versa. This is a great example of the old adage ‘treat others as you would want to be treated’. By taking the time to check in on someone else’s self-care and general wellbeing, we’ll all be taking steps to make the world a slightly kinder, more caring, and compassionate place!  

For more tips on starting open conversations about mental health, check out our Steps to create more open and positive conversations about mental health in your workplace, as well as our advice for Keeping the conversation going. 

To support wellbeing throughout October, Go1 is providing free access to a mental health awareness learning playlist. To explore the full playlist, please visit mentalhealthmonth.mygo1.com.

We’ve put together a handy guide to developing your personalised mental health self-care plan, brimming with tips, helpful resources, and clear steps to start putting your self-care first! 

Developing your mental health self-care plan

We are extremely excited to be at number 6 of the Top Australian Startups named by LinkedIn. 

This is the third consecutive year that Go1 joins some phenomenal businesses in the list. 

“At Go1.com we’re humbled to be named alongside such great Australian companies. At a time where the world is undergoing immense change, startups are shaping and creating the jobs and industries of tomorrow,” says Vu Tran, Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist of Go1.

The list is released every year, compiled by LinkedIn’s editorial team who work hard to spotlight rapidly growing companies. They utilize proprietary LinkedIn data and the expertise of their global editorial team to pinpoint companies that have high platform engagement, high employee engagement, and attract top talent through LinkedIn. 

This year, LinkedIn utilised data from January to July 2020 to ensure that it captured startups that were resilient through COVID. 

Chris Eigeland, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer said:

“We're honoured to be included on this list of amazing Australian startups that are transforming industries, in the middle of a challenging and changing economic environment. As an organisation focused on learning in the context of the 'new normal' for professional development and work life, we're proud to be supporting the Australian workforce.” 

Go1 is working hard to ensure that employee mental health and wellbeing are its core focus through the COVID period and beyond. Teams have been forced to move away from office environments, and Go1 has enabled the People and Culture team and Leadership team to foster personal and professional growth through remote working. 

It’s key that all employees are comfortable and have the resources that they need to do their jobs from their homes. With the prominent return to office date potentially in the next few months, we are ensuring our team’s health and safety is at the forefront, as we move towards a more flexible working environment.

Go1 makes it easy for organisations to learn, with the world's most comprehensive online library of learning resources. Go1 pulls the world’s top online learning providers into one place, delivering all the learning an organization needs in a single solution. With over 1.5 million learners – and growing – Go1 is a world leader in online learning.

Go1.com has raised over US$80 million in total funding from investors including M12 - Microsoft’s venture fund, Madrona Venture Group, SEEK, Salesforce Ventures, Shark Tank investor Steve Baxter and Oxford University. 

Go1 named #6 in LinkedIn's 2020 Top Startups in Australia

When we released the Go1 Learning app for Microsoft Teams, we received a tremendous response from organizations who were able to bring learning into the flow of work in Teams.

Today, Go1 is excited to announce our integration with Microsoft Search, extending the reach of learning content into the flow of work for employees.

Go1 integration with Microsoft Search

Organizations use Go1 to collect content they’ve built internally and content from the Go1 Content Hub. The Go1 Content Hub is the world’s largest content library, containing hundreds of online learning providers that cover every topic imaginable.

Now, in partnership with Microsoft, all of this learning content is available in Microsoft Search, using Microsoft’s Graph Connector framework. End organizations are able to use Microsoft Search to find Go1 learning resources in places like Office.com, SharePoint, and Bing. Relevant Go1 learning content will appear alongside other content in your organization, like Office 365 files. Employees can find and access this learning content in their normal day-to-day routine, reducing barriers to up-skilling.

With these new capabilities, it’s easier than ever for employees to learn from Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Search, redefining the ability to learn in the flow of work.

To learn more about the Go1 integration with Microsoft Search, visit go1.com/go1-microsoft-search. Questions can be directed to support@go1.com.

If you are a learning management system or content provider, Go1 would love to speak with you about being a part of this new learning experience. Please reach out to support@go1.com for more information.

Employees can now find learning content in Office.com, SharePoint, and Bing through Microsoft Search.

Announcing the new Go1 integration with Microsoft Search

Go1 is excited to announce a partnership with Acendre, an award-winning talent management solution which helps organisations recruit, onboard, measure, engage, and develop their people to improve workforce performance.

Since being founded in 1997 with an eye to revolutionising talent management, Acendre has grown to service over 200 of the world’s largest organisations, while processing over two million resumes per year and two million transactions per week. 

Inquisiq, Acendre’s Learning Management Solution, has been carefully designed to seamlessly blend the most advanced eLearning technology with time-tested conventional training methods - all within a rich learning ecosystem that fosters collaboration and communication.

Acendre’s APAC Managing Director Liam Ackland is excited by the new partnership:

“By partnering with Go1 we are now able to provide high-quality content across a range of topics from the best providers around the world accessible within our Learning Management System. The Go1 course catalogue is full of off-the-shelf and mobile-ready eLearning courses without the need for third-party integration which will enhance our customer's experience on the Inquisiq platform.”

Go1 co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer Chris Eigeland is equally enthused by the partnership, saying, “Go1 helps millions of people in thousands of organisations engage in learning that is key to their personal and professional development. This partnership will provide organisations with a pathway to upskill their workforce, especially at a time when remote working and learning is in high demand. I have no doubt that our offering will enhance employers’ ability to equip their staff with the best tools for learning and career progression.”

To experience this seamless integration first-hand, request a demo today!

Acendre is a leading provider of highly secure cloud-based talent management software that empowers organisations to enhance their workforces. The company’s innovative solutions provide data and insights that address the unique needs of organisations in regulated industries that require a high level of configurability to manage complex workflows and interoperability challenges. Acendre serves both public and private sectors, including government, education, healthcare, utilities, and mining. To learn more about Acendre, visit Acendre.com.

Go1 makes it easy for organisations to learn, with the world's most comprehensive online library of learning resources. Go1 pulls the world’s top online learning providers into one place, delivering all the learning an organisation needs in a single solution. With over 1.5 million learners – and growing – Go1 is a world leader in online learning.

Go1.com has raised over US$80 million in total funding from investors including M12 - Microsoft’s venture fund, Madrona Venture Group, SEEK, Salesforce Ventures, Shark Tank investor Steve Baxter and Oxford University. To learn more about Go1, visit www.go1.com.

Acendre unlocks seamless learning integrations with Go1 partnership

There are a range of theories that inform the design of effective learning experiences, ranging from behaviour change to cognitive psychology. 

One school of thought behind learning efficacy that is gaining traction in both research and practice is neuroscience - where we consider the way the brain functions in designing learning experiences. That is, learning is more impactful when we harness the structure and mechanics of the brain.   

Neuroscientists are starting to map the brain to show how people learn and the range of factors that influence learning. By understanding learning as a physical process, content creators and trainers can leverage the brainpower of their audiences to create more effective instructional materials. 

That’s why Go1 has partnered with How Too, who are experts in human-centric learning design. How Too helps organisations and educators turn their content into engaging online experiences through proven (and beautiful!) digital learning templates. They’re here to break down the jargon of neuroscience and learning, and outline the very best learning practices as backed by science.  

In this paper, they analyse and explain the role our brain plays in impacting the way we learn, and what learning methodologies are best to make sure we are retaining content as effectively as possible. The whitepaper was written for anyone who has knowledge to share, and is passionate about making that knowledge engaging and memorable to learn.   

Download this free whitepaper to discover how to embed the principles of neuroscience and human-centric learning design into your content creation.  

By understanding learning as a physical process, content creators and trainers can leverage the brainpower of their audiences to create more effective instructional materials. 

Harness the power of brain science to create effective learning 

In the past 12 months, one in five Australian employees have reported that they have taken time off due to feeling mentally unwell. 

On top of that, many employees do not actively seek support through their workplace because of a lack of policies, procedures and practices to support mental health … or, they don’t know these resources are available.

We know that starting a conversation by asking “Are you ok?” can change, and even potentially, save someones life. But how do we keep the conversation going? How can workplaces provide support and create safe spaces, so that their employees can feel more comfortable raising their concerns and reaching out when they need to?

In today’s article, we will explore what you can do once the conversation around mental health has started, and offer advice to help anyone approach it with a little more confidence.

We can all make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling by having regular, meaningful conversations about things that matter.

If you're looking for information on how and when to ask R U OK?, the R U OK? organisation’s website is well worth taking a look at. This free course created by Allara Learning is also an excellent place to start. 

This year, R U OK? is asking all Australians to learn what to say if someone in their life says they are not OK, which aligns with the theme that ‘There’s more to say after R U OK?’. This message focuses on building confidence and skills in people so they know how to navigate a conversation with someone in their life who is doing it tough.

While you don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going, when someone says they’re not ok, knowing how to proceed with that conversation can make them feel supported and get access to the help they need. 

If you find yourself in any of the following scenarios below, here is some advice on how you could respond:

1. They just brushed it off and said ‘they’re fine’

It is important to acknowledge that some people might not be in the right place to talk. They might be busy, they might not be ready, or they might want to open up to someone else. Whatever the case is, don’t criticise them. Tell them you’re someone they can talk to if they ever need to or suggest other people that they may prefer to talk to. At the end of the day it is their personal choice to talk about it or not, and you should never put pressure on them to open up. 

💡  Course suggestion: Warning Signs – iAM Learning 

This short course is designed to help you recognise key ‘warning signs’ in yourself and others so that you can take appropriate action.

2. They opened up to you but don’t need help or guidance 

In this scenario, it is important to recognise and validate how they are feeling - everyone’s experience is unique. Building trust is important so keep what they told you private (unless they’re at risk of hurting themselves or someone else). Stay in touch and actually be there for them when they may reach out to talk about it again. Genuine care and concern can make a real difference. 

💡  Course suggestion: Stress, Anxiousness and Anxiety - ViaUp

This course empowers your organisation to identify and address the causes and symptoms of anxiety by providing them with the tools they need to make meaningful and positive progress.

3. They opened up to you and are asking for help and guidance

There’s more to say after R U OK?: Keeping the conversation going