Kinetic drives healthier workplaces with peer mental health support

Kinetic is growing its peer-to-peer mental health support network across Australia, with more than 100 team members now trained with the skills and knowledge to support their colleagues at work.

In 2020, Kinetic was the first bus operator to trial the Steering Healthy Minds program, which trains team members with the skills and knowledge to provide initial support to colleagues facing personal difficulties until appropriate professional help is received.

Following the successful pilot, the program was rolled out across Kinetic’s Queensland operations, including in its dedicated mining and resources business where the environment is challenging and safety is paramount.

Within 12 months Kinetic had developed a mental health peer support network of 75 people with the program showing early success in nurturing a healthy environment for team members to thrive at work.

Now, Kinetic is rolling out the training nationally to ensure there is consistent, accessible peer support across the business.

More than 40 team members have recently undertaken the training in Melbourne and across Tasmania, with more regions to follow in coming months.

Kinetic is Australasia’s largest bus network, with a dedicated team of 7,400 people operating across many varied environments – from urban settings, to regional towns and remote communities where journeys can be long and isolating.

The program is about providing team members with more avenues for support – with those who prefer to speak about a mental health concern with a trained peer instead of their manager able to do so.

Drivers have a unique, important role keeping communities connected

Bus driving is a unique, challenging, and rewarding profession with drivers needing to deal with factors including changing and sometimes difficult traffic conditions, exposure to traumatic road incidents, and being on the road alone for extended periods.

Kinetic recognises that the psychosocial risks in transport are significant and need to be treated with the same seriousness as physical risks, which is why normalising mental health discussions through a peer support network is so vital.

Kinetic Chief People Officer Matt Campbell says mental health first aid training was an important initiative that strengthens wellbeing in the workplace and shows all team members – even those in remote locations – that there is support available.

“Our drivers do an incredible job moving people and connecting communities every day, and it’s a job they’re extremely proud of, but we know that this can be a challenging role at times,” Matt says.

“As we progress forward as a business, it’s vital we are building capability in our teams to support mental wellbeing in the workplace. Initiatives like this are about ensuring we have the pillars in place to foster a safe and healthy work environment for everyone.

“It’s been incredible to see this program embraced by team members throughout the business and we look forward to encouraging more people to become a mental health champion at Kinetic.”

Among the recent Kinetic team members to complete the training is Tara Groba, a Driver Manager at Melbourne’s Sunshine West depot.

Tara says the training gave her the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to someone in her team who may be experiencing a mental health issue.

“As someone who interacts with drivers every day, completing Mental Health First Aid training was extremely valuable and a real eye-opening experience,” Tara says.

“It’s changed the way I approach mental health at work and helped me feel better equipped to have these important conversations with my team and provide support when needed.”

R U OK? Day (Thursday 14 September) is a national day of action when Australians are encouraged to start a meaningful conversation with people in their life who may be struggling to help them feel supported and connected.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Further enquiries
Barrett Gibson
GM - Marketing & Communications
0424 647 488
barrettg@wearekinetic.com