WAYAHEAD Annual Report 2020 - online

WayAhead staff at Fair Day stand with many people walking by and engaging with the stand. Bright orange lettering saying WayAhead across the top of the stand.

About this Annual Report
For the first time ever we are trialling our Annual Report online. We think it looks pretty schmick. If you are having any problems with this new format you can download it as a PDF here or you can get in contact with us on 02 9339 6000.

Picture of Liz standing in front of a marble wall, she is smiling

“I must thank my wonderful team
who never stop to amaze me in how
adaptable and creative they can be,
and how committed they are to better
mental health for our community”

Elizabeth Priestley
WayAhead CEO

“It is a great privilege to be part of an active and engaged group of directors, overseeing the governance of WayAhead”

Dr Meg Smith
President

Sharyn McGee
Chairperson

Black and white picture of Dr Meg Smith and Sharyn McGee

We work towards building a society that understands, values and contributes to the best possible mental health and wellbeing for all

Two smiling WayAhead staff in front of a rainbow background from Fair Day

We tackle prejudice and
stigma to encourage
people to seek help

We know that there are number of barriers that can discourage people from reaching out so we work to dismantle them and share ways of learning more and finding support.

Attendees from a WayAhead Workplaces meeting clapping

We lower barriers to
accessing information and
finding the right support

Our usual direct delivery of information and support to the community was affected in the last quarter of the year by the impacts of COVID-19, which exacerbated the need that people had in accessing support and information. Though challenging, it has been a year of reflection and rejuvenation for many of our programs, with many working to deliver information online.

We recognise the importance of good mental health and wellbeing in our communities

WayAhead leads a number of initiatives that encourage conversations around good mental health and wellbeing in our communities. These include Mental Health Month, the Mental Health Matters Awards, and the WayAhead Workplaces program.

Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation's family support workers Shantel Simpson and Libby Wicks with chief executive officer Jane Bender (centre). Photo: Jessica Worboys

Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation wins state award for Warranggal Dhiyan program

Clair Vernon, CEO Jewish Care making mental health better in NSW

Members of the Rainbow Wave Festival Committee during the preparations for the festival.

Fling, Rainbow Wave Festival announced as winners for 2019 Mental Matters Awards

Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation's family support workers Shantel Simpson and Libby Wicks receiving their Mental Health Matters Award from Bronwyn Taylor MP

A yarn with Jane Bender, CEO of Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation

Geographic spread of
Mental Health Month
activities in 2019

Posted resources
Grant recipients

Yellow Share the journey poster with meandering footsteps going in an out of every day activities

The 2019 Mental Health Month theme ‘Share the Journey’ is all about ways we can connect with others, both for our own health and wellbeing, as well as theirs.

76% of respondents to our Mental Health Month Survey reported that the campaign message, Share the Journey, influenced the way they think about social connections.

71% report they intend to do something to improve social connection as a result of the Share the Journey campaign messaging.

Mental Health Matters Awards Winners 2019

Mental Health Matters Youth Award

FLING Physical Theatre for “My Black Dog”

Bega Valley

NSW Mental Health Commissioner’s Community Champion Award

Dr Jonathon Ho

Wagga Wagga

Workplace Wellbeing Award – Sponsored by WayAhead Workplaces

The Freelance Jungle

Windang/National

Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Award

Warranggal Dhiyan (Strong Families) program, Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation

Gunnedah

Mental Health Matters Rainbow Inclusion Award – Sponsored by ACON

Rainbow Waves Festival Committee, Pambula Mental Health Service

Bega Valley

Outstanding Achievement in Mental Health Promotion Award

Mission Australia, Connections Program – Reducing Loneliness in Far West NSW

Broken Hill

Mental Health Matters Community Initiative Award

Jewish Suicide Prevention Strategy, JewishCare NSW

Sydney

Leadership through Lived Experience Award

FND Australia Support Services Incorporated

Sydney/National

91% of respondents to the 2019 Annual WayAhead Workplaces Members’ Survey reported they had better access to workplace health and wellbeing information and resources as a result of their membership.

Nearly 85% of respondents reported applying knowledge or making changes to their work environment as a result of being a Workplaces member, including new ideas or techniques, launching a new health and wellbeing initiative, and sharing information about health and wellbeing at team meetings

85% of respondents have promoted WayAhead Workplaces to others, including potential members, people in their own organisation, and personal contacts

We work collaboratively
to improve the lives of those
with lived experience

During 2019-20, WayAhead placed significant focus on ensuring the mental health and wellbeing needs of people in NSW were represented through political advocacy. We continued to deliver our pioneering WayAhead Workplaces program, and also worked with various partners to inform our work and reach new audiences.

Participants at a WayAhead Workplaces meeting raising their hands in response to the speaker

“Connection to understanding people who care and help … a life saving service”

Support group participant

Our partnerships

We work across many initiatives with a number of partners, without whom we would not be able to undertake our work for better mental health for all.

Ending Loneliness Together - orange words and three ".}" to make three faces (the full stop is up high like an eye)

WayAhead are also members of:

Australian Health Promotion Association
Ending Loneliness Together
Mental Health Australia
Mental Health Coordinating Council
NCOSS
Our Community

6 excited staff winning a rosette at the xmas party, one dressed as a female Grinch

Our people

Our staff are our most important assets, with decades of experience among them. Many have dedicated their working lives to better mental health and wellbeing for all, through working for WayAhead.

We have a number of initiatives that support our staff, including our Employee Assistance Program, wellbeing initiatives, and Indigenous cultural awareness training through Your Mob Learning.

WayAhead staff, board and volunteers at the 2019 Mental Health Matters awards. Everyone waving, laughing or smiling while standing around the lectern on the stage.

CEO
Elizabeth Priestley

Senior Manager
(until January 2020)
Marge Jackson

Mental Health Promotion Officer
Asha Zappa

Anxiety Support Group Program Lead
Rachel Flint

Understanding Anxiety Programs Assistant
Melanie Adams

Event Management & Understanding Anxiety Program Support
Caryn Shipp

Small Steps and Anxiety Educator
Julie Leitch

Small Steps Program Facilitator
Simon Alaba
Dominique Sherley
Merrick Powell

Membership and Information Officer
Terri Marsh

Information Officer
Paul Leonard

Project Assistant – Mental Health Information
(until May 2020)
Sanju Gangoli

Corporate Affairs Manager
Ben Graham

WayAhead Workplaces Program Lead
(until June 2020)
Sharon Leadbetter

WayAhead Workplaces Program Officer
Lynley Hurst

Graphic Designer
Leanne Kelly

Writer
Tasnim Hossain

Collective Purpose (CP) General Manager
Matthew Stanley

CP HR Support Coordinator
Cyril O’Connor

CP Hub Coordinator
(until August 2019)
Ashleigh Morton

CP Hub Administration Officer
Tasmin Hill

Anxiety Disorders Support & Information Officer (until October 2019) and CP Hub Assistant
Luke McGrath

CP Accountant
Supun Mundigala

CP Accounts Assistant
Vera Velevska

CP Assistant Accountant
(until October 2019)
Felicia Ng

Role	Board Member	Start/finish	Attendance at meetings
President	Dr Meg Smith OAM		⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
Chair Person	Sharyn McGee		⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
Treasurer	Don Murray		⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
Vice-Chairperson	Stephen Bourne		⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
General Members	David Harper		⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜▫️▫️
	Pam Barker		⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜▫️▫️▫️
	Ben Wymer	(from Nov 2019)	⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
	Dr. Emma Sedlak	(from Nov 2019)	⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
	Frank Flannery	(until Nov 2019)	⬜⬜⬜⬜
	Prof. Viviana Wuthrich	(until Nov 2019)	⬜⬜⬜▫️
	Linda Hurst	(until Nov 2019)	⬜⬜▫️▫️

Volunteers

Michela Folli

Luke McGrath

Voula Sofiou

Along with our many dedicated volunteer support group facilitators

Students

Zoe Carroll

Sabrina Haddad

Peter Ju

Amy Lin

Ogechukwu Maduka (Blessing)

Carolyn Nguyen

Adepeju Onamusi (PJ)

Amelia Parsonage

Cedar Smith

Michael Tafft

Anxiety Disorders Advisory Committee

Frank Flannery

A/Prof Meg Smith

Prof. Lisa Lampe

Prof. Rocco Crino

Dr Ann Wignall

Lisa Tran