Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock, has officially been welcomed on board as an ambassador for the NSW Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplace Strategy 2018-2022.
SafeWork NSW Director for Health and Return to Work, Jim Kelly, met with Dr Cock and the Newcastle Airport team in late August to congratulate them for taking on this important role as a leader to spread the message of the positive benefits of a mentally healthy and safe working environment.
“With one in six Australian workers experiencing mental ill-health right now, the NSW Government is committed to helping NSW businesses create mentally healthy workplaces, which contribute to many social and financial benefits,” Jim Kelly said.
“It’s great to have the support of Newcastle Airport – such an influential organisation in the Hunter – leading the way for others. Newcastle Airport already has many tools and strategies in place to promote a healthy and safe workplace.”
Aiming to help 90,000 NSW businesses take effective action and create mentally healthy workplaces by 2022, the strategy will drive awareness of, and influence other businesses to employ support strategies to promote mentally healthy workplaces.
Peter notes that all the team at Newcastle Airport are committed to the strategy, and he looks forward to seeing the positive change it will bring.
“Newcastle Airport is a people-focused organisation committed to providing a healthy working environment for our team,” Peter said.
“We are proud to partner with the NSW Government as an ambassador for this important mental health initiative.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the importance of providing mentally healthy workplaces – and the role employers can play in supporting education, promoting compassion and encouraging empathy to reduce stigma often associated with mental health issues.”
As part of the strategy, Newcastle Airport has taken part in free mental health skills training, which is a two-hour workshop facilitated by the Black Dog Institute for staff to learn how to manage their mental health at work.
This free program is available to NSW businesses, along with mental health training for managers and expert WHS advice.
Businesses can access more information on the strategy, tools and resources through the NSW Government mental health at work website.
IMAGE | SafeWork NSW Director for Health and Return to Work, Jim Kelly and Newcastle Airport CEO, Dr Peter Cock. (left-right)
