Kiandra Insights

Mental Health Essentials Program 2019

Mel Pezzimenti
by
Mel Pezzimenti
People & Culture Manager
|
December 18, 2018
Mel Pezzimenti
People & Culture Manager
December 18, 2018
Mental Health Essentials Program by WorkSafe and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce

A few months back, I attended a Mental Health First Aid training course, and it, was fascinating. We looked at the prevalence of mental health in Australia – where each year 1 in 5 will experience a mental illness, and its impact on the workplace.

We learned mental health is viewed on a sliding scale and, just because you have good mental health now, doesn't mean it will always be the case, and vice versa for those already struggling.

The most important take away was, the majority of people don't feel knowledgeable or confident enough, to recognise the signs to offer help to those struggling with a mental illness or in crisis. That's what this course helped me resolve.

Mental Health Essentials Program

Next year, I'm really excited to bring to Kiandra, the Mental Health Essentials Program. This is a new initiative we are taking part in, sponsored by WorkSafe and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, which offers mental health training and consulting.

The Program is about understanding how the mental health of our employees can impact business and how Kiandra can better support you all in maintaining your mental health, and what assistance you can get, if things start to slip. It will be a two-part program, manager specific training and then companywide training for everyone.

As we approach the festive season and the year comes to a close, I wanted to use our final newsletter as an opportunity to help you reflect on the year that has passed. As a business we have had our share of change and challenges but we've also had many celebrations and a lot to be thankful for.

While it's easy to get caught up in the Christmas chaos, it’s important to use this time to relax and recharge as well. Do you know what to do when your shoulders become tense and start creeping upwards? Are you aware of your own self-care strategies to ensure you come out the other side of this season in good physical and mental shape? This is a good time to reflect and get in touch with yourself.    
Personally, I love the big family Christmas celebration. It's loud and generally messy, but it brings so much joy. If that's not your thing, but you have to do it anyway, make sure you find some time for yourself. Escape the chaos and walk the dog (in my case, cuddles with my cat), read a book or find whatever it is that brings you peace and contentment, and go do it.

The holiday period is a great chance to rest, recharge and refocus so we can start off 2019 anew.

Share article
LinkedIn.com

More insights

Aerial view of a cargo port at night showing a large container ship being loaded or unloaded by cranes. The scene is illuminated with industrial lighting and features overlay graphics of connected white dots and curved lines, representing a digital or AI-powered logistics network.

Rethinking logistics with AI: real challenges with real solutions

Cassandra Wallace
2/7/2025

In transport and logistics, most operators don’t need to be sold on the benefits of AI, they just need a clear path to making it work. This blog post outlines the most common challenges we see across logistics businesses, and how AI, when implemented correctly, can solve them and improve performance.

Read more
An illustrated person holding a tablet, looking up at a large, abstract AI brain filled with interconnected circuits and nodes, symbolising the integration of technology and human thinking.

AI and the human factor: what I’ve learned leading a team through change

Aarti Nagpal
26/6/2025

As a Software Delivery Team Lead, I’ve experienced firsthand how our strength lies in pairing deep technical expertise with a culture that genuinely values people. We’re not here to chase hype. We’re here to build things that matter, with teams that are empowered, curious, and supported.

Read more
A stylised digital padlock glowing in neon colours, symbolising cybersecurity and data protection. The background features abstract data panels and glowing lines, representing a secure digital infrastructure.

Personal data in government systems isn’t just sensitive, it’s sacred.

David Velasquez
25/6/2025

When you’re delivering software for government, there are no shortcuts. Security isn’t a feature. It’s a non-negotiable. At Kiandra, we work with government departments where privacy, compliance, and performance must co-exist – from health records to social services.

Read more

Let’s discuss your next project

Whether you’re curious about custom software or have a specific problem to solve – we’re here to answer your questions. Fill in the following form, and we’ll be in touch soon.

Email

Would you like to receive an occasional email showcasing the latest insights, articles and news from our team of software experts?

Thanks for reaching out! One of our software experts will be in
touch soon to help you with your enquiry
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By browsing our website you consent to the use of cookies as detailed in our Privacy Policy