What Do Our Staff Say
Here is what some of the staff have to say about working for the Hunter Institute of Mental Health.
“I like the nature of the work i.e. writing up reports, evaluation, research, planning and implementing. Also work culture is great…staff are very friendly and approachable. I wouldn’t work for them if I didn’t like writing.”
"My colleagues are amazing and I really enjoy the work-life balance and the focus on self-care."
"What I like, as a new employee working for The Institute, are: (1) the Institute's goals; and (2) the Institute's workplace culture. By goals, I refer to The Institute aims; to promote good mental health and wellbeing, and to encourage prevention and early intervention of mental ill-health. With mental disorders being a major concern in Australia (i.e. research showing that 1 in 2 Australians will experience a mental health issue throughout the course of their life), to be engaged in work I consider meaningful really makes a difference for me.
By workplace culture, I refer to the staff at The Institute (i.e. that they not only work in an organisation that promotes mental health and wellbeing principles to the public sector, but that staff attempt to apply those principles in the workplace). I have observed that many staff at The Institute do their utmost to practice what the organisation preaches. Overall, to be engaged in meaningful work in a workplace where staff do their utmost to practice what the organisation preaches, gives me a sense of pride to be a part of the The Institute and makes coming to work each day a pleasure".
"I love being able to walk across the road and have my lunch overlooking Newcastle Beach. It’s a great way to take a break and sometimes I even get to see the dolphins".
"I like to work at the The Institute because it allows me to explore my passion for project planning and build upon my skills in the mental health sector".
"Magnificent and inspiring !!"
"I started working for the Hunter Institute of Mental Health in 2001 on a 9 month temporary contract as a project officer. Now I manage a team of staff working on large and complex national, state and local programs. In 2001, the Hunter Institute of Mental Health provided this proud Novocastrian (who had just returned from 2 years in the UK) an opportunity to work on an exciting project and stay in my home town. Little did I know then that this would become an organisation that has provided me with so much opportunity to develop my career and to develop as a person. Many of the programs managed by the Hunter Institute are innovative world first programs.
So it is the perfect place for someone who likes a challenge and likes to stay busy. But more than that, it is an organisation that is dedicated to evidence-based and ethical practice, an organisation that prides itself on working in partnership with other sectors, organisations and individuals, and an organisation that has been committed to developing its staff. Working at the Hunter Institute of Mental Health has provided me the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally, engage with academics, clinicians, policy makers, and a range of sectors outside health such as media, police, industry and others.
The job is diverse, it’s challenging, and it’s very rewarding. While I knew many years ago I wanted to work in mental health and suicide prevention, the Hunter Institute brought out a passion in me that I doubt will ever leave. It is a place where we tend to eat a lot of cake, but it is also a place where hard work is the norm, the desire to learn more is encouraged while remaining humble about what we still don’t understand. It is a place that values the contributions of all staff, the people we work with and the people we work for. In my time working in mental health I have come to realise that our organisation is unique. Not just because of what we work on, but the way we work. And that suits me perfectly".
