Saunders backs new mental health strategy for workplaces

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has welcomed the re-designing of SafeWork NSW’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy, which is focused on helping businesses in the region become mentally healthy.

In the past two years SafeWork NSW received more than 5,000 calls for assistance and information in relation to bullying and other psychosocial risks as well as how to get started in creating a mentally health workplace

“Thanks to the NSW Government, hundreds of businesses across the state have been supported to implement mental health plans, and thousands of employees have been trained, but there’s a lot more work to be done,” Mr Saunders said.

“This re-designed strategy is about helping employers move from a model of only prioritising mental health at work following an incident, to offering targeted and proactive support to their employees throughout the year.”

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said knowing how to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of staff is increasingly important in the wake of COVID-19, and can also make a big difference to morale and productivity.

“Most of us spend about one-third or more of our waking lives at work. It’s a huge part of what we do and can have a significant impact on our mental health in a positive or negative way,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Good mental health begins in the community and in the places and times we gather from day-to-day. From high-risk sectors to small and medium businesses, this means equipping each and every one to confidently deliver tailored, practical support to meet the unique needs of their staff from the ground up.”

The NSW Mentally healthy workplaces strategy can be accessed at https://www.mentalhealthatwork.nsw.gov.au/committing-to-leading-change/the-strategy  

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