New Member Assistance Program

Optometry Australia has launched a new member service, the Member Assistance Program, to support you in strengthening your mental resilience and wellbeing.

This new service replaces the Resilience Box App, with access ceasing on 14 March 2022.

The Member Assistance Program is a completely confidential and free service for all Optometry Australia members and, from today, you have access to up to three coaching and counselling sessions over a 12-month period. You may wish to use these sessions to top up your wellbeing in general or if feel you need support in relation to a family, personal or work concern.

To get more information about this new service, we encourage you to watch this short introductory video:

During what has been, and continues to be, a turbulent time in the world, we acknowledge that now more than ever it is crucial to take steps to support your wellbeing. However, it may often be difficult to find time to focus on your own wellbeing when other areas of your life seem to take over.

The results of a survey¹ conducted pre-pandemic amongst optometrists in November 2019 and released in 2021 reveal that there were high rates of mental health conditions and burnout amongst practising optometrists with psychological distress, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, cynicism and a low level of professional efficacy, the main conditions cited. The survey, completed by 505 optometrists also revealed that optometrists under 30 are 3.5 times more likely to report moderate to severe psychological distress than those over 30. The results, published in the Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics journal, are very concerning and we recognise that the prolonged impact of COVID-19, floods at home and war overseas may all be continuing to add undue stress on practitioners. That is why we are upgrading our membership offering to put a greater focus on your individual wellbeing.

We continue our partnership with the Centre for Corporate Health, who specialise in working with organisations to create safety and wellbeing at work, and who have over 20 years experience in supporting the wellbeing of teams across a range of industries. Their team of senior psychologists bring a vast range of experience and expertise and will be specifically matched to your needs.

If you wish to book a coaching or counselling session through the Member Assistance Program, simply call the Centre for Corporate Health on 1800 959 956 or email eap@cfch.com.au.

Our optometry-to-optometry Member Advisory Service is also available to all members for confidential one-on-one support. Call 03 9688 8500 or email national@optometry.org.au.

More resources for you

Optometry Australia provides all members with free access to a range of legal, mental health and wellbeing resources:

• Legal Industry Group, confidential advice to employers and employees. Phone 1300 101 391 or email oa@industrylegalgroup.com.au.
• Our Optometry Advisor Help Desk supported by optometrists who are trained in providing professional support and advice. Phone 03 9668 8500 or email national@optometry.org.au.
• Our mental health webcasts: Mental Health First Aid; One clear path for Optometrists; and Mental Resilience plus podcasts (Supporting mental health in me and my patients; and Balancing family and career without losing your mind).
• Our Supporting your mental health page containing a range of resources including tips to manage fatigue and burnout in optometry.

You can also contact:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 – available 24/7
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36 – available 24/

1.Bentley S, Black A, Khawaja N et al. The mental health and wellbeing survey of Australian optometrists.Opthalmic Physiol Opt 2021; Apr 20. doi: 10.1111/opo.12823.