Mental health in maritime

Port Authority of NSW is cognisant that the workplace provides an important setting to assist people experiencing mental health struggles and endeavours to continue removing stigma around mental health in maritime.

With the arrival of another R U OK Day on September 8^th promoting awareness for mental health issues, Port Authority recognises the role it can play for its workforce by expanding on R U OK Day, to intrinsically embed the core value of ‘care’ into our people.

Port Authority of NSW has launched a new initiative to improve the mental health outcomes of its staff across NSW.

Port Authority’s General Manager Work, Health and Safety, Dirk Ovenden said the new initiative involved delivering accredited Mental Health First Aid training so key employees were ready to administer assistance when needed. 

“Port Authority implemented a limited trial of the program and the feedback was outstanding from participants, so now we are offering numerous courses internally to formally train staff in providing appropriate mental health detection and support. “Mr Ovenden said.

“By embedding mental health first aiders and access to support across the business, Port Authority aims to promote an everyday awareness of mental health, as there is for medical first aid, within our daily operations.

“We want this initiative to be one of the main mechanisms to assist our staff in mental health issues, especially after COVID, which really aligns with the R U OK Day principles of empowering everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them.

“We’re trying to encourage as many people who can to take the course, so more people can be really well equipped to provide help to others when needed.”

The training course gives participants tools to identify issues and uses a step-by-step approach to provide support to those who require it. “The more people who know how to recognise key aspects in behaviour, the higher chance of people being aware there could be a problem.”

MEDIA: 02 9296 4672