Staff health and wellbeing is a key feature of Metro Trains’ Zero Harm principle.

Through its partnership with Assure, Metro’s Employee Assistance Program provides first-class mental health and wellbeing services to all 7000 staff members and their immediate family.

Metro’s EAP Assure, coaching, counselling and wellbeing support delivering services that covers many aspects of life.

Metro Trains Head of Health and Wellbeing Jacquie Lyons says, “The best asset of any railway is its people and at Metro, we want our team members to feel supported to be their best.  And that means recognising that we all encounter challenges and obstacles we need help with.

“Our Health and Wellbeing program puts our people at the centre, with a whole range of services to help us be our best, so that we can provide the best possible service to Melbourne’s travelling public.”

To make sure Metro staff have access to the help they need at any time without any delay, a new app has been launched.

Assure’s Wellbeing Gateway is a digital wellbeing platform that provides 24/7 access to chat with a health professional or the ability to book an appointment.

Assure’s Head of Customer Care Gerard Beven says,  “We are proud of our partnership with Metro Trains that has been in place since 2014.

“Employees across Metro Trains have may experience serious and severe events, or like many of us, they may need some support to manage challenges in our day to day lives. “

“We’re happy to be there for Metro Trains team members and their families to support them in maintaining their wellbeing in work and in life.”

Metro also has a peer support program where staff receive mental health first aid training to help their colleagues through traumatic events.

This program allows colleagues to support each other through difficult times. By having help from someone in the same profession it allows for a complete understanding of the challenges they face.

A new video has been produced featuring some of Metro’s staff including train driver Carole Nugent, and High Voltage Planner Kym Arbid, who share their experiences with both using the EAP services and providing peer support to their colleagues.