A message from the Secretary, mental health tips from our Chief Psychiatrist, Emergency Nurses Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. |
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As we’re now well into Mental Health Month, today we hear from our Chief Psychiatrist, Dr Murray Wright, who shares some important mental health tips.
I encourage you to watch the video and take time to do something you enjoy, even if it's something simple like getting outdoors.
We're also showcasing some of the innovative and vital services that provide mental health and crisis support throughout NSW.
These services are one part of the mental health support occurring across NSW Health and I want to thank all of the staff who work hard to support the mental health of our community. |
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I’d also like to recognise all of our emergency nursing staff today on Emergency Nurses Day. Emergency nurses provide crucial and compassionate care in one of the hospital’s most high-pressure environments. Thank you for your tireless dedication to your job.
Finally, the issue of cyber security has been front of mind recently and it can have potentially serious impacts for us all, I encourage everyone to complete your cyber security training in My Health Learning if you haven't already.
Kind regards,
Susan Pearce
Secretary, NSW Health |
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Bringing out the best in everyone |
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NSW Ambulance have rolled out an all-in-one resource to help staff achieve their health goals. The Wellbeing Platform, launched in September 2021, has helped more than 1,850 NSW Ambulance staff to care for their wellbeing.
Nam Le, Manager Health and Fitness at NSW Ambulance, explains that there was a need to create a centralised place for staff to access the various staff health and wellbeing support programs and resources available to them.
“The majority of our staff are on the road so we needed to develop an online platform that could be accessed 24/7 from anywhere.” |
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The Platform is a fun and engaging tool that inspires staff members to interact and support each other along their wellbeing journey. There are challenges like the ‘Big Step Challenge’ where 250 NSW Ambulance staff competed for a winning prize for the highest number of steps.
“The best feedback I’ve received about the Platform is that it boosted team morale across our stations and helped people reconnect with old colleagues as well as make new connections. For some people, it’s helped them kickstart their health strategies and it’s nice to be a part of that,” said Nam. Once users have completed a health check, the platform provides a tailored program to suit their individual needs. This may be for mental health, burnout and resilience, physical health, nutrition, social connectivity, injury prevention, fatigue, and even financial wellbeing. The Wellbeing Platform is supporting our NSW Ambulance staff by making it easy for them to take control of their wellbeing. |
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Name: Dr Murray Wright
Role: Chief Psychiatrist, NSW Health
Now let's get to know you a little better...
What are three words your family and friends would use to describe you? Most of my family and friends have described me as thoughtful, organised and determined. What do you like to do on the weekends?
I mostly like to spend time with my family and friends and also spend time outdoors doing things like cycling, walking or playing golf, hopefully with my family and friends. Favourite book or podcast?
My favourite book of all time is Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. |
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Time to tune in with Dr Wright To help tune in this Mental Health Month, Dr Wright has shared some tips on how we can maintain our mental health.
He shared that like many other habits, good mental health gets better with practice, and it starts with having an awareness of ourselves.
"If you are supporting a loved one who is going through mental health challenges, it's important to send a clear message which you then back up. Show them that you are able to listen and talk without judgement and support them in practical ways at a time and in a way of their choosing."
Watch the video to hear more of Dr Wright's mental health tips and how he cares for his own mental health. |
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| A big call out to all of our dedicated emergency nurses as we celebrate Emergency Nurses Day today. Being on the frontline delivering the best possible care in difficult and high-pressure situations is no easy job!
We visited our emergency department nurses from Royal North Shore Hospital who took time out of their busy day to take a quick snap to celebrate! |
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We thank our courageous emergency nurses across the state, your compassion and resilience deserves to be recognised and celebrated! |
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| Mental health peer worker Spencer McGill’s approach to caring for others stems from a deeply personal journey. Spencer’s lived experience of depression and anxiety gives him a unique understanding of the everyday challenges faced by people living with mental illness.
Through his role with Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), Spencer knows too well the value of community-based mental health programs.
As part of the My Step to Mental Wellbeing program, Spencer connects and empathises with consumers in a safe and supported manner. |
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“I’m able to have a chat with people on an even keel and provide them with tips and tricks that I’ve learned through my own recovery journey.”
“There is often a mindset of being hard and stoic and not speaking about your problems, but we’re starting to see a shift away from that, which is wonderful,” Spencer said.
Deniliquin-based Spencer is passionate about reducing stigma and sees My Step to Wellbeing as a valuable service where people can seek help without feeling shame.
He loves living and working in regional NSW and being able to provide meaningful support to his community. Spencer’s outstanding contribution was recognised recently when he received MLHD’s Enriching Consumer Experience Award. “People need you to be real out in the regions, to be resourceful and resilient, and they need to know not only that you have a lived experience but can also help them access local services.” |
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A conversation in human experience The Patient Experience team will be facilitating a webinar next Wednesday 19 October with Dr Ben Bravery, author of The Patient Doctor. Ben's experience as both a patient and doctor provides a unique perspective where he can understand both sides of the story.
Join the Conversation in Human Experience directly here or email the Patient Experience team for a calendar invite.
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| Mental Health Month
This month we are encouraged to tune in and learn how to care for ourselves and others, and how we can get involved at a local level within our communities.
There are resources available on the WayAhead website to help you tune in this month.
If you are in need of support, reach out to your manager and remember you have access to an Employee Assistance Program at a local level. |
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A safe haven offering so much more |
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To support the NSW Government Premier’s Priority, Towards Zero Suicides, Safe Havens across the state are being established. Safe Havens are a non-clinical alternative for people in distress or who are having suicidal thoughts to go to for support.
These are community-driven spaces where people can sit down for a cup of tea to talk to each other without judgement, or simply spend some time alone in a safe place. |
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Peer-support workers at the frontline of Safe Havens across NSW come from many different cultural and career backgrounds, many of which have their own lived experience with mental illness.
Peer-support worker, Nicole Robins from the Tweed Heads Safe Haven in Northern NSW LHD says the chance to make a difference is what makes it worthwhile.
“We’ve seen many of these people at their most vulnerable and having them come back to check-in or even jump into some activities to maintain their progress is so inspiring. It makes us so proud of them and proud of ourselves for what we do.”
“Every day you enjoy coming to work to see what kind of difference you can make next.” In many ways, NSW Health peer-support workers in local Safe Havens bring a fresh skillset and mindset to the suicide prevention space. |
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How this mental health nurse is healing hearts |
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Kind, compassionate, empathetic, non-judgemental.
These are some of the words used to describe Hayley Fisher, a Safehaven mental health nurse at the Sydney Children’s Hospital.
Hayley was nominated for the consumer chosen Healing Heart Award for exceptional care by the family of a young individual who she cared for.
The family explained that “when you have a teenager in a mental health crisis, it is extremely frightening and devastating. Hayley was a safe haven for all of us. Her compassion, expertise and kindness kept my son and our family supported through an extremely difficult time.” |
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Hayley’s dedication to her role as a mental health nurse helped create a warm and comfortable environment for her patient and family. This made a world of difference to their experience.
“I honestly believe that if Hayley had not been part of our son’s care team, he would have ended up in hospital or would have tried to commit suicide,” said one of the family members.
The family who nominated Hayley did so because of her compassion, commitment to safe, high quality person-centred care, professionalism, and resilience.
The 10th Annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards celebrates exceptional nurses like Hayley. You can stream the event live at this link on 18 November at 2:00pm. |
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A date that could save your life |
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Staff at BreastScreen NSW know firsthand the impact that screening and early detection has on patient outcomes. That’s why they are committed to ensuring that as many people in NSW access BreastScreen and are aware of the importance of regular breast checks. BreastScreen NSW Program Manager, Anthea Temple says it is a privilege to be part of this important service which is saving lives across NSW. She manages the team of staff who visit more than 180 locations and screen more than 350,000 people each year. |
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“The BreastScreen NSW program is made up of so many incredible and dedicated people – they are all committed to creating a better future for people impacted by breast cancer.”
There are currently 14 active mobile BreastScreen vans and 48 fixed screening sites across NSW which are seeing people just like Helen, a mum of two and grandmother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"Going for my mammogram saved my life. Booking your BreastScreen is a no brainer, why wouldn’t you do it? It’s free, it’s easy and BreastScreen NSW are extremely supportive. I can’t praise them enough,” Helen said.
Find out more on the BreastScreen NSW website.or call 13 20 50 to book your screen. |
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Delivering better health services for children and young people
The Henry Review Implementation Plan is now available and outlines how we will improve our health services to meet the needs of children, young people and families in NSW, now and into the future.
You can review the Plan and regular updates on the Henry Review web page. |
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Cyber security is everyone's business Cyber security can impact our staff, services, patients and carers.
We each have a responsibility to be cyber aware and know how to identify risks in our day-to-day work.
If you have not yet done so, please complete the mandatory Cyber Security Fundamentals training module and explore other cyber related modules on My Health Learning portal.
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| Cancer screening saves lives
Finding cancer early saves lives. We are encouraging everyone to make their health a priority and get up to date with cancer screening.
National screening programs are available in Australia to detect breast, bowel and cervical cancers.
More information can be found on Cancer Institute NSW’s website. |
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We acknowledge the Aboriginal traditional custodians of the land in which we live and work and pay respects to all Elders past, present and emerging. We also acknowledge all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working with the NSW Government. |
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