Springfield Gamers is committed to providing a space for its members to achieve the best possible mental health and wellbeing.

In Australia, one in five people experience mental illness each year and nearly one in two (45%) will experience it in their lifetime. The consequences of mental illness on individuals, their families, communities and the economy are profound.

With most adults spending more of their waking hours at work than anywhere else, spaces like those provided by Springfield Gamers can play an essential part in maintaining positive mental health.

The committee believes that mentally healthy gaming spaces not only benefits members but is key to success and sustainability. Mentally healthy gaming spaces deliver more enjoyment, increase participation, and enhance social inclusion.

Developing and maintaining mentally healthy gaming spaces is an ongoing dynamic process in which all members play a crucial role.

1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to create an environment that promotes and supports the mental health and wellbeing of all members.

 
2. Scope
This policy applies to all members attending club meetings organised by Springfield Gamers, including outside events and meetings.

3. Legislation and Policy
This policy should be read in conjunction with:

• Privacy Act 1988

• Disability Discrimination Act 1992

4. Responsibilities
The Springfield Gamers Committee (hereafter referred to as “The Committee”) recognises that mental ill-health is a health and safety issue and commits to:

• Creating a culture that supports positive mental health and wellbeing.

• Proactively identifying and mitigating hazards and risks to mental health.

• Providing information for members on mental health and wellbeing.

• Promoting active, meaningful and effective participation of members.

• Supporting members experiencing mental ill-health.

• Maintaining no-tolerance for discrimination, bullying and/or harassment.

5. Culture
To create an environment that supports positive mental health and wellbeing, the Committee will:

• Promote understanding and tolerance on the club’s social media platform(s)

• Ensure all members feel welcome and valued

• Assist members (where possible) that are suffering from mental ill-health, either through social or financial assistance

• Set clear expectations of positive behaviour by providing a clear Code of Conduct for members and committee members.

• Actively manage disrespectful behaviours.

• Establish and revise policies and procedures to take appropriate account of mental health and wellbeing.

6. Roles and Responsibilities
Active, meaningful and effective participation of all members is a key factor in creating a mentally healthy gaming space.

6.1 Committee Members will:

• Promote and implement this policy.

• Foster and actively encourage a mentally healthy gaming space.

• Identify and mitigate hazards and risks to mental health and wellbeing.

• Proactively engage with others and encourage participation.

• Engage and support members to:

  • be aware of the importance of mental health and wellbeing.

  • be aware of hazards and risks to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

  • provide feedback to help the Committee determine the effectiveness of this policy, related measures, implementation and operation.

  • identify and provide feedback on hazards, risks and areas for improvement.

  • Take reasonable care of their own mental health and wellbeing, and that of their colleagues.

  • Seek to continuously improve their knowledge, awareness and understanding of mental health issues and behaviours.

 

6.2 Members will:

• Read, understand and comply with this policy.

• Actively participate in creating a mentally healthy gaming space.

• Identify, mitigate and report hazards and risks to mental health and wellbeing.

• Take reasonable care of their own mental health and wellbeing, and that of their fellow gamers.

7. Identification, assessment and control of risks to mental health and wellbeing

7.1 Work Health and Safety
The Committee considers psychological risks to be just as significant as physical risks and will ensure that processes are in place to identify, assess and mitigate hazards and risks to mental health and safety.

The Committee will include an assessment of potential hazards and risks to psychological health and safety as part of its risk assessment processes. To identify potential risks to psychological health and safety and the efficacy of control measures the Committee may make use of information such as:

• Organisational policies and plans.

• Membership information such as personal details and attendance records.

• Surveys and feedback.

• Legislation and regulation

7.2 Mentally Healthy Workplace Action Plan
Developing a collective vision of a mentally healthy gaming space, articulating specific goals for reaching the vision, and a plan for ongoing monitoring and continual improvement is critical to enabling a mentally healthy gaming space.

The Committee will develop an Action Plan to identify, implement, monitor and review initiatives to support positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. The Action Plan will be reviewed annually to ensure continual improvement.

Guide to the Action Plan

• The Action Plan will be developed, implemented and revised by the committee.

• Members can volunteer to participate in a group to develop, implement and revise the Action Plan.

• Those participating will nominate a Chair to manage meetings and all processes associated with the Action Plan. The Chair can delegate responsibilities to others participating.

• All actions under the Action Plan must be endorsed by the Committee and approved by the President, and must be consistent with the Committee’s Vision, Mission and Values; legislation, policy and procedure and operational requirements.

• Updates on the Action Plan will be provided via social media platforms in line with Privacy Act requirements.

8. Confidentiality
The Committee will ensure individuals' confidentiality and privacy is respected and protected.

Where discussion of psychological hazards in the gaming space takes place - whether between the Committee or any other persons - the confidentiality of all persons shall be respected. Wherever appropriate identifying markers shall be removed from meeting minutes.

Where surveys are conducted, responses will be anonymous and surveys will only be conducted following consultation with members.

9. Support for members experiencing mental ill-health
Gaming can play a key role in a person's recovery from mental illness. Providing support to members is central to this as well as to creating an open, inclusive gaming space where everyone feels valued and supported.
The Committee is committed to providing effective support to members and will:

• Ensure members experiencing mental ill-health are treated fairly and consistently.

• Provide non-judgemental and proactive support to members experiencing mental ill-health or stress.

• Recognise that while members are encouraged to talk about their mental health, they are under no obligation to do so.

• Encourage all members, through the provision of information and training, to recognise and respond appropriately to early signs of distress or deterioration in a person's mental health.

• Make reasonable adjustments to support members who are experiencing a mental health condition. These are any form of assistance or adjustments that are necessary, possible and reasonable and that reduce or eliminate barriers, provided that the member does not breach the code of conduct.

• Treat all matters relating to the mental health of individual members in the strictest confidence and share only on a 'need to know' basis with the consent of the person concerned.

 

10. Bullying, harassment and discrimination

10.1 General
Discrimination, bullying and harassment can have a devastating effect on mental health and wellbeing, resulting in psychological and emotional stress not only on the individual or group targeted but also on teams and bystanders. The Committee has zero tolerance for these behaviours and will:

• Develop and encourage respectful gaming relationships through good behavioural practices and communication.

• Provide regular and honest performance feedback in a respectful way.

• Encourage members to talk to a committee member if they feel they are being bullied or see inappropriate behaviour taking place.

• See the Committee’s Diversity and Inclusion + Code of Conduct Policies for further detail.

11. Monitoring and review
This policy will be reviewed annually to determine whether objectives are being met and to identify barriers and enablers to ongoing implementation. Reviews will be informed by feedback from members.