Port Authority of NSW: Mental Health First Aid Training That Reaches Beyond the Wharf
Port Authority of New South Wales has turned mental health training from a one-off event into a sustained investment in its people. Over 14 months, Port Authority staff have completed three accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses delivered by Focused Mental Education: Standard, Youth and Older Person. The result is a workforce better equipped to look after each other at work, and to support the young people and older people in their lives away from it.
Three things make this commitment stand out:
It responds to recognised risks. Like many 24/7 maritime and emergency response workplaces, port work involves psychosocial hazards that employers are required to manage.
It started from a strong foundation. Staff described the 2025 Standard course as practical, relevant and closely connected to their work.
It reaches beyond the workplace. By adding Youth and Older Person training, Port Authority gave its people skills that matter as parents, carers, coaches and family members.
Marie-Louise Borg of Port Authority's Learning team with Damien Burke and the Certificate of Recognition, 21 October 2026.
Why mental health matters at a working port
Port Authority manages navigation, security and operational safety for commercial shipping across six NSW ports: Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, Newcastle, Port Kembla, Eden and Yamba. Its people work around the clock as harbour masters, marine pilots, vessel traffic controllers, emergency responders, hydrographic surveyors and cruise terminal staff. It is also the lead agency for responding to maritime incidents along a large stretch of the NSW coast.
Work like this is meaningful, and it also brings what NSW work health and safety law calls psychosocial hazards. These are aspects of work and situations that can cause a stress response, which over time may lead to psychological or physical harm. Since 1 October 2022, NSW employers have been required to identify and manage these hazards with the same care they apply to physical risks. If the term is new to you, here are some common examples found across maritime, transport and emergency response settings generally:
Shift work and fatigue
Operations that never close mean night shifts, early starts and rotating rosters. Disrupted sleep affects the body clock, known as the circadian rhythm, which in turn can affect mood, concentration and time with family. Fatigue is both a safety risk and a wellbeing risk.
High-consequence, safety-critical work
Safety-critical roles in shipping and transport leave little room for error. Staying highly alert for long periods places a heavy mental load on a person, and that pressure can build quietly without anyone noticing.
Exposure to distressing events
People in emergency response roles may attend or hear about serious incidents. Strong reactions afterwards, such as trouble sleeping, replaying events or feeling on edge, are normal human responses to abnormal events. This is sometimes called critical incident stress. A related idea is vicarious trauma: the emotional impact of repeatedly hearing about, reading about or managing other people's distressing experiences, even without being directly involved.
Remote or isolated work
Time on the water, overnight shifts and smaller regional teams can mean fewer people nearby to talk things through. Isolation is listed as a recognised hazard because it reduces the everyday support that helps people cope.
Public-facing pressure
Public-facing roles in transport and tourism often involve large crowds, tight timeframes and, at times, people who are frustrated or upset. Dealing with this regularly can be draining.
None of these hazards describes any one person. They are part of the landscape in which port and maritime professionals work. MHFA does not replace professional care or an organisation's wider risk controls. What it does is give people a practical, evidence-based action plan so they can notice when a colleague is struggling, start a supportive conversation and guide that person towards appropriate help. In a 24/7 workplace, that early, human response matters.
A strong foundation: Standard MHFA in 2025
Port Authority's program began on 26 and 27 August 2025, when staff completed Standard Mental Health First Aid. This gave colleagues a shared foundation for recognising when someone at work may be struggling and knowing how to respond.
Participant feedback after the course showed how strongly it resonated:
“I feel more confident in supporting my colleagues and understanding mental health. I learnt a lot of new content that I did not know about before.” Port Authority participant, Standard MHFA
Other participants spoke about what the training meant for their work:
“Excellent connection between the course content and applying to workplace environment.” Port Authority participant, Standard MHFA
“Support my team members better and know how to support myself better.” Port Authority participant, Standard MHFA
Port Authority staff at the Standard Mental Health First Aid course, August 2025.
Going further: Youth and Older Person MHFA in 2026
Many organisations stop once staff are trained to support adult colleagues. Port Authority chose to keep going. In 2026 it brought in two specialist courses that recognise a simple truth: employees are also parents, step-parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, sports coaches, neighbours and the adult children of ageing parents. The mental health skills they need do not switch off when they leave work.
Youth Mental Health First Aid, 26 and 27 August 2026
Port Authority recognised the value of this course early, because so many of its staff have young people in their lives, whether as parents, step-parents, relatives or mentors. Staff learnt how to support a young person aged 12 to 18 who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. The need is real. The Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 38.8% of Australians aged 16 to 24 had a mental illness in the previous 12 months, compared with 21.5% across all ages from 16 to 85. Adolescence is often when conditions such as depression and anxiety first emerge, which makes the confident, informed adults around a young person especially important.
“The Youth Mental Health First Aid course content was covered in a comprehensive, [respectful] and informative way.” Salvatore, Youth MHFA (completed all three courses)
Older Person Mental Health First Aid, 20 and 21 October 2026
Port Authority placed particular emphasis on this course. Australia's population is ageing, and almost everyone has, or will have, ageing parents, grandparents or relatives who may one day need support. Staff completed training focused on adults aged 65 and over. Mental health problems in older people are often missed, because changes in mood, sleep or memory can be wrongly put down to “just getting older”. Life changes such as retirement, grief, loneliness and declining health can all play a part. The course helps people tell the difference between conditions, approach sensitive conversations with respect, and find the right support.
“…The older person specific course allows you to look at the complexities of dealing with older people and common associated conditions like dementia, and ways to approach as a mental health first aider. Having this knowledge allows the first aider to have more empathy and understanding…” Melissa, Older Person MHFA (completed all three courses)
“I feel much better equipped with awareness and strategies on how to best support a person in crisis.” Port Authority participant, Older Person MHFA
Port Authority staff at the Older Person Mental Health First Aid course, October 2026.
Coming back for more: Melissa and Salvatore
Melissa and Salvatore from Port Authority completed all three courses with Focused Mental Education: Standard in August 2025, Youth in August 2026 and Older Person in October 2026. Choosing to return twice over more than a year says a great deal about how much they valued the training and how relevant they found it, both at work and at home.
“These courses are a vital step in improving and educating in the mental health area.” Melissa, completed Standard, Youth and Older Person MHFA
Why this makes work more meaningful
When an employer invests in skills that help staff care for their own children, parents and communities, the message is clear: you matter as a whole person, not only as a role on a roster. Staff now have a depth of understanding that spans every stage of life, and that knowledge now travels home with them, into school pick-ups, family dinners and visits to grandparents.
Recognising Port Authority's commitment
On 21 October 2026, the final day of the Older Person course, Focused Mental Education presented Port Authority of New South Wales with a Certificate of Recognition. It reads: “Commending your organisation’s efforts to raise the awareness and promotion of mental health throughout Australia, and for your ongoing and unconditional support.”
A program like this does not happen by accident. Our sincere thanks go to Marie-Louise Borg and Leanne Thomas from Port Authority's Learning team, who organised the courses and also took part in them. Their support and enthusiasm set the tone for every session.
What other organisations can take from this
Treat mental health training as a program, not a one-off. Building in stages lets each course strengthen the last.
Back internal champions. Committed people in learning and people teams are what turn good intentions into action.
Think about the whole person. Skills for supporting young and older people reach families and communities, and staff notice that investment.
Pair training with risk management. MHFA works best alongside the steps employers take to identify and control psychosocial hazards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Standard, Youth and Older Person Mental Health First Aid?
All three teach the same evidence-based action plan. Standard MHFA focuses on supporting adults, Youth MHFA on supporting young people aged 12 to 18, and Older Person MHFA on supporting adults aged 65 and over.
How long do the courses take, and are they accredited?
Standard and Older Person MHFA are 12-hour courses and Youth MHFA is 14 hours, usually delivered face-to-face over two days. Participants who complete the assessment become Accredited Mental Health First Aiders for three years.
Can Focused Mental Education deliver this training at our workplace?
Yes. We deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid training to workplaces across Australia and can tailor scheduling to rosters and shift work.
Bring Mental Health First Aid training to your organisation
If your organisation would like to explore Standard, Youth, Older Person or other accredited Mental Health First Aid courses, or advice on managing psychosocial hazards, contact Focused Mental Education at www.fme.com.au, on (02) 8044 3365 or at info@fme.com.au.
About the author: Damien Burke is the Director of Focused Mental Education and a Licensed Mental Health First Aid Instructor who delivers accredited MHFA training to workplaces and communities across Australia.
If this article has raised concerns for you or someone you know, support is available 24 hours a day from Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In an emergency, call 000.
Sources
Port Authority of New South Wales, About us
SafeWork NSW, Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work
Australian Bureau of Statistics, National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020 to 2022
Mental Health First Aid Australia, Youth Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid Australia, Older Person Mental Health First Aid
Participant comments are drawn from public Google reviews of Focused Mental Education and participant course feedback. Mental Health First Aid and MHFA are trademarks of Mental Health First Aid International.
