It was a life-changing experience but it also provided Mr James with the knowledge and understanding of the value of mental health skills training. It is for this reason his company was the first to jump on board the NSW Government’s initiative to provide $55 million in mental health skills training for regional workers, including Port Stephens.

“My lived experience allowed the company to implement a number of strategies in the workplace to improve not only the physical well-being of staff but also their mental health,” he said.

“We found that it was stress related mental illness that was keeping staff away from work, so when we heard about the funding boost we had no hesitation in getting on board.”

Mr Graham joined the Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean, Liberal candidate for the seat of Port Stephens Jaimie Abbott and representatives from the Black Dog Institute and Air Pelican at Williamtown Airport for Monday’s announcement. Mr Kean said that one in six people will suffer from mental illness in Australia.

“The training to employees and owner operators from small to medium-sized businesses would help build strategies and the capability to proactively manage their mental health and support others in the workplace,” he said.

“This program is designed to raise awareness in the community of the prevalence of mental illness. It’s a big problem, but addressing it can improve workers’ lives and increase productivity in the workplace.”

Mr Kean said that the NSW Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy had a target of more than 90,000 NSW businesses taking effective action to create mentally healthy workplaces by 2022. “The initial phase of the program would target around 5,000 workers completing face to face and e-module training by the end of November 2019.”

 For more information on the Strategy, visit safework.nsw.gov.au.