Creating mentally healthy workplacesPatrice O’Brien, General Manager of Workplace, beyondblue

AGENDA

1. The case for a mentally healthy workplace

2. What does a mentally healthy workplace look like?

3. Creating a mentally healthy workplace

4. Heads Up resources available

5. Questions

THE CASE FOR A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE

AGENDA

POOR MENTAL HEALTH IS LIKELY

TO AFFECT 1 IN 5 EMPLOYEES

IGNORING MENTAL HEALTH IS A

MAJOR ISSUE FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS

IGNORING MENTAL HEALTH IS A

MAJOR ISSUE FOR AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS

IGNORING MENTAL HEALTH COSTS

AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS $10.9 BILLION A YEAR

FOR EVERY

$1 INVESTED

IN MENTAL

HEALTH

INITIATIVES…

…THERE’SAN AVERAGE

RETURN ON

INVESTMENT

(ROI) OF $2.30

……

INVESTING IN WORKPLACE MENTAL

HEALTH PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT ROI

76%88%

THE STATE OF WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH IN AUSTRALIA

EMPLOYEES BELIEVE

IT’S IMPORTANT TO WORK IN A

PHYSICALLY SAFE

WORKPLACE

....AND….

AGREE THEIR

WORKPLACE FITS

THAT DESCRIPTION

EMPLOYEES BELIEVE

IT’S IMPORTANT TO WORK IN A

MENTALLY HEALTHY

WORKPLACE

AGREE THEIR

WORKPLACE FITS

THAT DESCRIPTION

EMPLOYER OF CHOICE

60% OF EMPLOYEES

ARE MORE

COMMITTED

TO THE

ORGANISATION

68% SAY THEY’RELESS LIKELY TO SEEK

EMPLOYMENT

ELSEWHERE

45% LEFT A

WORKPLACE

BECAUSE OF POOR

MENTAL HEALTH

CONDITIONS

Legislation Employers Employees

Work health & safety

Eliminate & minimise risks to health & safety (as is ‘reasonably practicable’)

Take care of their own and others health and safety

Discrimination Provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ for employees

Able to fulfil inherent requirements of job

Privacy Prevent disclosure of personal information

Must disclose if their mental health condition may cause a risk to someone’s safety

Bullying Prevent repeated unreasonable behavior that is risk to health & safety

Comply with ‘reasonable management action’

RISK & COMPLIANCE

PHYSICAL

� Disturbed sleep

� Appetite changes

� Sick and run down

� Fatigue

FEELING THINKING BEHAVIOURAL

� Negative thinking patters

� Hopeless, helpless and worthless

� Suicidal thoughts

� Overwhelmed

� Indecisive

� Lacking confidence

� Irritable

� Poor concentration

� Reduced productivity

� Alcohol and other drug use

� Social withdrawal

A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE IS A SAFE WORKPLACE

AGENDA

WHAT DOES A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE LOOK LIKE?

A ‘mentally healthy’ workplace…

9 Has a positive workplace culture where there’s no distinction between physical and mental health

9 Has policies, strategies and actions that:

9 raise awareness and reduce stigma

9 support people with mental health conditions appropriately

9 minimise workplace risks related to mental health

9 Starts at the very top, is authentic and sticks

CREATING A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE

The Mental Health Continuum

AGENDA

CREATING A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE

Developing a mental health strategyCREATING A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE

Ensure that all employees have an up-to-date job description which includes role purpose, reporting relationships and key duties expected of them

1. Ensure leadership commitment2. Communication & collaboration3. Assess the current situation4. Develop an action plan addressing key areas of focus:

• Raise awareness & reduce stigma• Support people with mental health conditions• Manage mental health risks in the workplace

5. Implement your action plan6. Monitor and evaluate

Tips for Successful Implementation

9 Start small and grow: some large organisations may find it useful to pilot the approach within a section of their organisation

9 Be realistic: make sure the plan is achievable and that dates for completion and the deliverables, from the activities are realistic.

9 Genuine, visible commitment from top level leaders combined with champions throughout all levels of the workforce, not just at the top.

9 A workplace mental health system should be integrated with the broader workplace health, safety and wellness systems rather than an “added project”

9 The process should be viewed as development of a “system” rather than an “initiative”.

9 Strategy to be supported by a clear implementation plan 9 Resources: adequate resource allocated from planning to intervention

AGENDA

HEADS UP RESOURCES AVAILABLE

• Heads Up - A central point for businesses

• Simple, practical, FREE

• Resources for all individuals (leaders, business owners, HR, OHS, managers, frontline staff)

• Case studies, videos, tools, fact sheets, brochures, booklets

• Key Tool - Heads Up Action Plan

THE WEBSITE

Find out more atheadsup.org.au