St John NT has launched its 2025-28 Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, strengthening its commitment to the safety, health and wellbeing of its people and the communities they serve.
Delivering and supporting frontline care across the Northern Territory, St John NT’s new strategy directly responds to the realities of emergency and community health work.
Informed by workforce survey findings and consultation, it addresses exposure to psychosocial risks, cumulative stress and fatigue, and the need for earlier intervention and clearer support pathways.
St John NT Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager Nardi Ling said the strategy reflects both legislative expectations and the lived experience of the organisation’s workforce.
“This strategy recognises that how our people feel at work matters,” Ms Ling said.
“Our 800+ staff and volunteers are exposed to complex situations every day, and supporting their mental health is essential to keeping them safe, engaged and able to deliver care.
“The strategy brings together what our people have told us, what the evidence shows, and what good support looks like in high-pressure environments. It focuses on identifying psychosocial risks early, strengthening prevention and early intervention, and making support easier to access.”
Director People and Culture Natalie Wilson said the strategy embeds mental health and wellbeing into everyday organisational practice.
“The strategy is a practical, working document. The job is never done, but this gives St John NT a strong framework to keep improving how we support our people,” Ms Wilson said.
“It moves wellbeing from being reactive to being built into how we design work, lead teams and support our people across their entire lifecycle with St John NT, from induction through to frontline service and their transition out.”
Former CEO Andrew Tombs, who endorsed the strategy prior to concluding his tenure, said the work marked an important step forward for the organisation.
“WHS has always been a priority for St John NT. What’s evolved is our understanding of what safety really means. This strategy demonstrates a clear commitment to staff and to doing better, now and into the future,” Mr Tombs said.
To read the St John NT 2025-28 Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy go to www.stjohnnt.org.au/publications
