Olympic champion Hayley Lewis named as Mental Health Ambassador

Former swimming champion Hayley Lewis has been named by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland as their Queensland Mental Health Ambassador on World Mental Health Day (10th October).

Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the Olympic medallist would draw on her personal experience of navigating through difficult times as an athlete, a mother, a sister, a high-profile personality and a small business owner.

Minister Grace noted “evidence shows that mentally healthy workplaces lead to increased performance and greater employee retention.

“Mentally healthy workplaces are also more likely to meet vital work health and safety obligations.”

A mother of two, Lewis is passionate about psychological health, and with the help of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, is encouraging workers and employers to make sure they’re in the right headspace.

Lewis adds "Mental health impacts everything and everyone. Sadly, often we don't realise just how bad it really is until we suffer or experience a tragedy.

“We know that workers thrive in well-designed work that is healthy and safe, but we also know that poor work environments create needless risks which impact on businesses’ productivity, efficiency and ability to be competitive.”

Minister Grace said the Queensland Government was close to delivering on an election promise, finalising new regulations and a landmark code of practice that will be a huge leap forward in protecting the health and wellbeing of workers.

Minister Grace continued “The Managing the Risk of Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice will ensure risks from psychosocial hazards are considered and managed in workplaces while providing practical guidance on how this can be done.

“These include more well-known psychosocial hazards such as exposure to traumatic events, work-related violence and aggression, bullying, and harassment including sexual harassment.

“They also include cumulative hazards such as lack of job control, role clarity, poor organisational change management, remote or isolated work, and poor environmental conditions.”

Queensland will be one of the first jurisdictions in Australia to introduce a legally enforceable code of practice alongside regulations which directly address psychosocial hazards at work.

More details about Mental Health Week can be found online at worksafe.qld.gov.au.