At Purple Giraffe, we believe that great marketing starts with great people and caring for those people means recognising that mental health is just as important as physical safety in the workplace.
Recently, our Tower of Giraffes completed the Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training delivered by Jo Marshall from Culturise, and it proved to be one of the most confronting, insightful and valuable learning experiences we’ve undertaken as a team.
MHFA isn’t light training. It asks participants to sit with difficult, often uncomfortable topics – including suicide, psychotic episodes, anxiety, depression, substance misuse and the realities of crisis situations that many Australians face every day. While challenging, the training opened up crucial conversations and equipped our team with practical skills to recognise signs, respond confidently and offer support with empathy.
Jo was exceptional in guiding us through the program. Her expertise, warmth and clarity helped our team feel safe while tackling content that can be emotionally heavy. Her delivery reinforced that while these conversations may be hard, avoiding them only deepens the stigma that so many people struggle against.
Why this training matters now more than ever
The statistics around mental health in Australia paint a sobering picture:
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1 in 5 Australians experience a mental health condition each year (ABS, 2023)
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Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15–44 (AIHW, 2024)
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Over 60% of people with a mental health condition do not seek professional help (Beyond Blue)
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35% of Australians report high or very high levels of psychological distress linked to workplace pressures, financial stress or social isolation (ABS, 2023)
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The estimated cost of mental ill-health to Australian businesses exceeds $39 billion per year, through absenteeism, presenteeism and staff turnover (Productivity Commission, 2023)
These numbers aren’t abstract; they’re a reflection of the people we work with every day. Our colleagues, clients, friends and families. Addressing mental health is no longer optional; it’s a responsibility every workplace must take seriously.
Building a mentally healthy workplace culture
Completing MHFA training has reaffirmed our commitment to fostering a supportive and psychologically safe environment for our team. What we learned goes far beyond recognising symptoms – it’s about listening without judgement, knowing how to respond in crisis, and understanding how to guide someone toward the right professional support.
It also helped us reflect on our own well-being. In a fast-paced industry where deadlines are constant and creativity is demanded on cue, being able to identify early signs of stress or burnout is just as important as supporting others.
Our takeaway as a team
The training was challenging, confronting and at times emotional — but it was also empowering. We walked away with:
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Increased confidence in recognising when someone may be struggling
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The language and tools to start supportive conversations
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A stronger sense of trust and understanding within our team
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A renewed commitment to prioritising wellbeing as part of our daily culture
Most importantly, we walked away with the reminder that mental health is everyone’s business.
We are incredibly grateful to Jo Marshall and Culturise for delivering such impactful training. Jo created an environment where difficult topics felt safe to explore, and where our team could genuinely grow; both personally and professionally.
Completing Mental Health First Aid training has strengthened how we show up for one another, for our clients, and for our community. It’s training we believe every workplace should consider, not just for compliance or culture, but because it truly has the potential to save lives.
If you lead a team, manage people, or simply want to play a more active role in supporting those around you, MHFA training is an investment worth making.
