Before Blue privacy collection statement
The Before Blue service connects people experiencing emerging mental health conditions such as anxiety and/or depression with trained mental health coaches who provide a series of treatment sessions.
Before Blue can be accessed via video chat on a secure platform provided by a third party provider and is offered directly to employees of organisations who have contracted Beyond Blue to deliver the service to their organisations.
Beyond Blue is committed to ensuring that your personal information is protected in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and other applicable laws in relation to the handling of that information.
You can obtain the latest version of our Privacy Policy, which has more information about our privacy practices, here: Beyond Blue.
Why we collect personal information
Beyond Blue collects your personal information (including sensitive information such as health information) for the primary purpose of providing the Before Blue service.
What personal information Beyond Blue collect
Personal information collected may include information such as:
- your name
- your date of birth
- your demographic details
- your contact details (including telephone number, address and/or email address)
- information about your health and medical history
- records of interactions with you
- recordings of video chat sessions, and
- telecommunications data and information on website usage.
Please note, while this information is not reported to your employer, should you wish to remain anonymous, you will be unable to proceed with the Before Blue service.
How we collect your personal information
In most cases, Beyond Blue collects personal information from you when you use the Before Blue service, use the Beyond Blue website, provide feedback or make a complaint. In using the Before Blue service information is collected via:
- Provision of data when registering for the Before Blue service;
- Provision of data in response to the questionnaires completed when participating in the Before Blue service; and
- Provision of data in treatment and follow up sessions with your Before Blue coach.
How we use your personal information
Your personal information is used by Beyond Blue to manage the Before Blue service and the care provided to you, to manage complaints and comply with laws, and for other purposes detailed in its privacy policy.
For example, your personal information may be used to:
- identify you and determine the appropriate way for the Before Blue service to interact with you, and otherwise manage the relationship with you
- provide mental health coaching and treatment sessions to you
- manage complaints and legal issues
- interact with regulators and governmental agencies
- meet our legal obligations, including to report risks of harm to you and other people, and
- develop and improve the Before Blue service generally.
How we use de-identified personal information
De-identified personal information may be used by Beyond Blue for the purpose of analysing the service.
Deidentified data may include demographic information including age, gender, cultural background and postcode, as well as information about program participation, including responses to questionnaires.
Deidentified data may be used for program management, quality improvement, evaluation and monitoring service delivery. De-identified data may also be shared with your employer, government funders and/or agencies, research and evaluation partners and/or used in academic articles, printed publications and/or presentations.
No data will be provided that directly identifies you. No reporting will identify you directly or indirectly.
Who your personal information is disclosed to
Beyond Blue may need to disclose your personal information to other persons or organisations that can help you, such as healthcare providers or other referral parties. Beyond Blue will ask for your permission before sharing your personal information with those persons or organisations. Please note, this does not apply to individuals who present in crisis and need immediate support.
In addition, personal information may be disclosed to third parties that provide services relating to the purposes for which the information is collected or able to be used, or otherwise where you would reasonably expect disclosure to third parties.
For example, Beyond Blue may make your personal information accessible in a secure environment to its:
- service providers and contractors, including service providers that provide clinical supervision to the mental health coaches, host website servers, other IT service providers and analytical service providers, and
- professional advisers, such as auditors and lawyers.
- Auditors for regulatory and/or compliance purposes.
Beyond Blue may also disclose your personal information to:
- relevant authorities where there is a child or young person at risk of harm (including physical harm, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, or neglect)
- relevant authorities where there is a serious risk of harm to you or another adult person or a serious threat to public health, welfare or safety, and
- if it is required or authorised by or under an Australian law or a court or tribunal order.
The circumstances in which Beyond Blue may disclose your personal information to recipients located overseas are set out in our privacy policy.
More information about our privacy practices
Beyond Blue’s privacy policy contains more information about our privacy practices, including:
- how you may access and correct the personal information held about you, and
- how to complain about a suspected breach of your privacy or about how your personal information has been handled.
Withdrawal from the Before Blue service
We are committed to managing your personal information safely and securely and in accordance to our privacy policy. Before Blue is required to store your records in line with national and state legislative requirements for healthcare records. Should you wish to withdraw from the Before Blue service, please contact Beyond Blue (details listed below). Note that if you have attended any sessions, your records will be retained if you choose to exit the service.
How to contact us
Beyond Blue Email: privacy@beyondblue.org.au
Beyond Blue Post: Attention: The Privacy Officer, Beyond Blue
Suite 501, 278 Flinders Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
This Before Blue Privacy Collection Statement was last updated September 2024 and may change from time to time. Please consult this statement regularly for any changes.
