ALMOST 30 local businesses have applied to take up the available places in a mental health first aid scholarship program being overseen by Project 365 and the Wangaratta Grit and Resilience Program. Applications closed on December 20, with the 27 submissions received coming from businesses across a diverse range of industries in the Rural City of Wangaratta. The fully-funded training equips staff with the skills to recognise and respond to mental health challenges, aiming to reduce stigma and absenteeism, and improve morale. Bek Nash-Webster, Grit and Resilience Program coordinator, said the applications highlighted the community's shared commitment to fostering mentally healthy workplaces, and thanked locals for their support. She said the selection panel would convene in the New Year, and looked forward to announcing the successful recipients of this valuable opportunity. Ms Nash-Webster thanked the community for helping to make the initiative a success.
