EHS student inspires during National Psychology Week

10 December 2009

CDU student Jason Sargent presented a talk within the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) last month, about mental health and the role of National Psychology Week.

Jason is currently completing his Graduate Diploma in Psychology at CDU as a distance student.

He is also a student member of the Australian Psychological Society, which promoted National Psychology Week around Australia.

In his presentation, Jason discussed the need for good mental health in the work place and highlighted that while physical ailments are easier to identify, mental health ailments are all too often not seen or readily identifiable.

Jason is employed by the ATO and said it has good procedures, policies and external assistance in place to assist staff mental health matters.

"My talk aimed to remind management of all levels to integrate active discussion on the benefits of maintaining good mental health within their teams, as well as making it a regular topic within team meetings," Jason said.

"I also encouraged everyone who attended the presentation to organise a team discussion during National Psychology Week," he said.

The Australian Psychological Society supplied 30 information packs for participants to take home, which included a range of items aimed at raising awareness and encouraging discussion about good mental health.

National Psychology Week was held from 8 -14 November 2009. For more information visit: www.psychologyweek.com.au.