Former Olympian Hayley Lewis named Workplace Health and Safety Queensland’s Mental Health Ambassador

Former Olympian Hayley Lewis Named Queensland's Mental Health Ambassador

Commonwealth gold medallist, small business owner and former Olympic champion Hayley Lewis has been appointed Workplace Health and Safety Queensland's Mental Health Ambassador. Hayley Lewis is proud to be Queensland's Mental Health Ambassador, bringing her lived experience to a role focused on promoting mentally healthy workplaces across the state.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said the Olympic medalist has navigated hard times throughout her swimming career, and that resilience will serve her well as she takes on this new advocacy position.

Why Hayley Lewis Was Chosen as Queensland Mental Health Ambassador

"I'm very excited that Hayley will be promoting the benefits of mentally healthy workplaces and reaffirming our strong commitment to improving mental health for all Queenslanders," Ms Grace said.

Her journey from competitive swimming to becoming a psychological health champion Hayley Lewis reflects gives her a unique perspective on managing pressure, setbacks and performance expectations — challenges many workers face on the job, regardless of industry.

The Business Case for Mentally Healthy Workplaces

Evidence shows mentally healthy workplaces lead to increased performance and greater employee retention. Organisations across Australia are increasingly recognising that psychological safety is just as critical as physical safety when it comes to protecting staff wellbeing.

Key benefits of prioritising mental health at work include:

• Improved productivity and morale among staff
• Reduced absenteeism and turnover
• Stronger compliance with work health and safety obligations
• Better overall organisational culture and reputation

"Mentally healthy workplaces are also more likely to meet vital work health and safety obligations," Ms Grace added.

Supporting Psychosocial Safety in Your Workplace

Employers seeking to strengthen their approach to psychological safety can review SafetyDocs' Workplace Mental Health & Psychosocial Policies for practical guidance on meeting these obligations. A comprehensive Health and Safety Manual can also help formalise processes that support both physical and mental wellbeing across an organisation.

For businesses wanting to understand broader accountability, our article on who is responsible for workplace safety and health outlines the shared duties employers and staff carry under current legislation.

Those interested in hearing directly from industry leaders and advocates like Lewis can also explore the Workplace Health and Safety Show, which regularly features discussions on mental health, wellbeing and safety best practice.

Read more on the Queensland Government website.