STAFF at Northeast Health Wangaratta (NHW) will be stepping into bold, colourful socks on Friday, in support of Crazy Socks for Docs Day – a national campaign raising awareness of mental health in medical and healthcare professions.

Now in its eighth year, the initiative was founded by cardiologist Dr Geoff Toogood to encourage open conversations and reduce the stigma around mental health struggles among doctors and health workers.

At NHW, staff across clinical and non-clinical areas will be joining in, using the day as a visible reminder that it’s OK not to be OK and that no one should feel they have to manage alone.

Garry Wilkes, executive director medical services at NHW, said the campaign is an important chance to reinforce the message that mental health matters.

“Behind the fun of the socks is an important message,” he said.

“Mental health is part of overall health, and we want our people to feel safe, supported and heard.”

NHW chief executive officer Libby Fifis said supporting staff wellbeing remains a core priority for the organisation.

“We know that working in healthcare can be incredibly rewarding, but also challenging,” she said.

“Days like this are a chance for us to ensure our teams know that their mental health matters.

"We want NHW to be a workplace where speaking up and seeking support is normal, and where kindness is part of how we work together.”