Mental Health Update
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program has experienced significant success for the second consecutive year as we continue to make headway within the industry. More than 32 people have already trained in the first half of the 2023-24 financial year, with the program garnering strong support, including complementa- ry room hire and catering which has helped manage costs and enable more individuals to participate. The program covered various locations, including the East Coast, West Coast, and Hobart, with each loca- tion presenting unique challenges and successes. The East Coast session in faced some setbacks due to the Friendly Beaches Bushfire, leading to a few cancellations, however those who attended were highly engaged and found the course beneficial. The West Coast session in October highlighted the ongoing challenge of promoting MHFA in smaller venues. Despite this, larger employers such as Stra- han Village, Gordon River Cruises and West Coast Wilderness Railway demonstrated strong interest and engagement, especially on the second day. In Hobart in November, despite initial challenges such as last-minute cancellations, the group exhib- ited remarkable understanding and engagement on the second day, proving to be one of the most en- gaged groups thus far. Due to high demand, another course is scheduled for February next year. Look- ing into the new year, there is considerable interest in MHFA on the North/West Coast, with courses scheduled for Cradle Mountain in, as well as De-
vonport in May. Additionally, Launceston will host a course in March after Festivale and MONA FOMA.
The strategy of visiting venues individually has prov- en effective in building knowledge and engagement, with 42 Mental Health catch-ups conducted across the state. Despite some being virtual due to travel constraints, this approach has allowed for personal connections and discussions about the importance of Mental Health support in the hospitality industry. In venue visits, there is a notable positive response from East Coast venues, showing keen interest in MHFA. However, the uptake of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) services has not matched enthusiasm. Hobart and the East Coast share a strong understanding of the importance of mental health support, while smaller venues show interest in HOSPO Health, especially for staff meetings and newsletters. The Lifeline courses, particularly the Accidental Counsellor program, have been well-received. With limited offerings earlier in the year, the courses are gaining popularity, with sessions scheduled in Ho- bart, Devonport, and Launceston for February, March, April, and May 2024, indicating strong demand and potential for further courses based on demand. Overall, the Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s Mental Health initiatives continue to make a posi- tive impact, with growing interest and engagement across various regions and a commitment to provid- ing valuable resources and support to the industry.
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