Managing mental health in your organisation

With the stresses and strains placed on everyone in today's working world, workplaces can look at how they might help promote and maintain mental health amongst their employees. With one person in five likely to be affected by mental illness and six million working days lost by Australian workplaces each year because of the effects of mental illness, it makes sense for employers to implement policies and strategies that support and protect the mental health of their employees. Ultimately these efforts sustain productivity and reduce costs. Creating a workplace culture of joint responsibility for mental health is an attainable and worthwhile goal for all concerned.

Part of creating a healthy work environment is the development of a knowledgeable and supportive workplace that values a diverse workforce. Mental illness is highly stigmatised in our society. In creating an inclusive workplace it is important to dispel misconceptions by promoting an accurate understanding of mental illness and its causes. Staff education and training programs can be factored into the induction process or occupational health and safety training.

Ultimately a workplace should respond to the use of discriminating or stigmatising language or behaviours, through disciplinary action. It is the employer’s legal and social responsibility to ensure that the workplace is free from discrimination and harassment. A healthy workplace does not tolerate false or stigmatising statements about mental illness or people who are live that experience. Not only does such language promote ignorance and fear, it is also illegal.

Tips for a healthy workplace:

• Facilitate healthy and flexible work conditions that encourage work/life balance, such as flexible working hours or opportunities to work from home where appropriate.
• Promote mental health awareness as an essential part of workplace responsibility.
• Promote the risks of stress, and how to recognise and reduce it.
• Tips for managing stress in the workplace
• Set realistic work loads.
• For further material on other mental health programs and initiatives offered by the Australian Government:
• Mental health & well being
• Larger organisations might consider investing in early intervention and preventative strategies, such as:
• Employee assistance programs which provide a confidential service for all employees and their families to deal with problems that may be causing difficulties in their work or personal lives. The Employee Assistance Professional Association of Australia can provide more information about how to establish an employee assistance program in your workplace—see 'Related Links'.
• Mental wellness forums or activities that promote healthy practices such as home and life balance, physical exercise, diet, and stress reduction practices.

How will I know if the workplace is mentally healthy?

A simple staff survey can provide you with information about the organisation’s mental health climate and issues in the workplace. If confidentiality is assured, then staff can inform you about ways that the work environment is supportive of mental health, or could be improved. The survey can ask simple questions about stress levels, workload, feelings of belonging and management practices in your organisation.

For information to assist you in developing a survey for your organisation contact the JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800.

You may want to contact a psychologist for assistance when developing the survey and to assist with strategies to improve the mental health of your organisation.

You can search for a registered psychologist in your area:

• Find a psychologist