New initiative seeks to improve education, awareness about mental health
The New South Wales government will contribute $250,000 for the development of a mental health training package for hospitality and tourism employees.
The fund will be given to Raising the Bar Foundation, which will design and deliver The Barstool Project.
According to the state government, the project is an initiative that seeks to improve the education and awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues in the hospitality and tourism industry.
It also aims to reach 10,000 employees in the industry across the state.
Lachlan Stevens, Raising the Bar Foundation chairperson, said they are grateful for the NSW government's support to their goal of increasing mental health support.
"Our mission is to create safer, healthier environments within hospitality venues for employees, employers and patrons, with an aim to shift the culture of these establishments back to human connection and community," Stevens said in a statement.
Daniel Chin, Raising the Bar Foundation general manager, added that the contribution will "help a great deal."
"The support from the NSW Government is incredibly welcome and will expand our ability to empower individuals to understand and manage their mental health effectively," Chin said
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said he is "really impressed" with Stevens and Chin's work on the Raising the Bar Foundation to increase mental health support.
"We know that over two in five (44%) Australians over 16 are estimated to have experienced a mental illness at some point in their life," Park said in a statement.
"It highlights the need for a concerted effort from the NSW Government and industry leaders like the Raising the Bar Foundation to ensure that people are equipped to stay mentally healthy and that they feel comfortable reaching out for help if they are struggling."
