Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) is one of 11 organisations throughout NSW that has won funding to help create mentally fit workplaces.

The funding is for Building Health leaders of the future: A mental health coaching pilot program.

These organisations will collectively receive more than $500,000 in grants for innovative ideas to help workplaces reduce the impact of mental health issues and to aid recovery.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said that the Recovery Boost program, administered by the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), provides up to $50,000 in funding for projects that promote seeking assistance early, supporting an individual's recovery and reducing stigma around mental health.

“Workplaces play a pivotal role at the coal face in promoting mental fitness and these grants will empower them to provide staff with help and support when needed,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the grants would support employers to create and maintain an environment that promotes and encourages good mental health.

“Everyone in a workplace can contribute to a culture where people feel safe and supported to talk about mental health and these grants will help the recipients embed tailored support for individuals and teams,” Mrs Taylor said.

Other grant recipients and their projects are:

  • MATES in Construction
  • Stronger together in Regional NSW: Expanding the MATES in construction in regional communities The NRMA: "We Carry You" Peer support program
  • Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU): Mates in Manufacturing – pilot and evaluation of a peer support mental health program tailored for the manufacturing industry
  • Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Vicarious Trauma (VT) Management Program
  • Westpac Helicopter Service: Mental Wellbeing in Emergency Services throughout the Employment Life Cycle
  • Souths Cares: Souths Cares Mental Health Initiative
  • Rumpus Skillshare Inc: LunchBreak: A 4-week program to build mental health skills and habits
  • Headline Productions: Mental Health literacy podcast
  • University of Sydney: LISTEN TO ME: a virtual platform that supports healthcare workers recovering from mental health
  • Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), NSW Health:Development of an Emergency Department staff wellbeing framework and Code Black virtual reality training program.