Hospitality Tasmania and Lifeline Tasmania are expanding their partnership with the launch of a new pilot program, Talks on Tap, to bring mental health education directly into venues.
To be launched later this year in Launceston, the pilot will offer engaging talks, lived experience stories, and interactive activities in a pub and club setting. By combining hospitality with learning, the format aims to spark conversations, reduce stigma and build community resilience.
Hospitality Tasmania CEO Steve Old said the industry is proud to be driving change.
“The hospitality sector is built on people, and our people are our greatest asset. By making mental health support a priority, we’re creating safer, stronger and more supportive workplaces right across Tasmania,” he said.
“We want to ensure every hospitality worker has access to mental health support, and that every venue has the confidence to start conversations that can genuinely change, and sometimes save, lives.”
The move builds on top of the work Hospitality Tasmania and Lifeline Tasmania have been delivering jointly, together with the state government and From Experience, where they deliver mental health first aid (MHFA) training to Tasmania’s hospitality industry. \
More than 200 hospitality workers have now completed the training designed to build skills to better support colleagues, friends, and family experiencing mental ill-health.
“We are proud to be partnering with Hospitality Tasmania to be leading the way nationally with this initiative,” Lifeline Tasmania training and support manager Tracey Groombridge said.
“It’s great to see that despite the pressures of long hours and high stress environments, the hospitality industry is investing in greater recognition of wellbeing, more open conversations, and employer-led initiatives that create supportive workplace, where people can thrive.”
Bianca Welsh, founder and educator at From Experience, has been key to the mental health program success, having delivered 17 MHFA courses across the state since 2022.
“Hospitality Tasmania’s initiative to provide this to the sector means we are working towards the goal and vision to have a Mental Health First Aider in every hospitality business in Tasmania,” she said.
“As a restaurateur myself I know firsthand how it can be really difficult to know where to start and how to help someone who might be having a hard time. With the skills from Mental Health First Aid, we’ve been able to provide support to people who’ve experienced all sorts of situations from depression, anxiety, bipolar, eating disorders, grief, trauma, sexual assault and of course poor mental health.
“Our retention rates have improved significantly since being able to better incorporate positive mental health practices.”