i m p r o v e m e n t a l h e a l t h a n dw e l l b e i n g i n y o u r o r g a n i s a t i o n .

mentallyhealthy

workplacetoolkit

4.7billion

ABSENTEE I SM COS T

mental health: the factsWHAT I S MENTA L HEA L TH REA L L Y COS T I NG

AUS TRA L I AN BUS I N E S S E S ?

6.1billion

PRE SENTEE I SM COS T

6.1billion

COMPENSAT I ON C LA IMS

WHEN YOU LOOK BENEATH THE SUR FACE , POOR

MENTA L HEA L TH HAS A HEAVY I M PAC T .

THE WORKP LACE MENTA L HEA L TH TOO LK I T I S

D E S I GNED TO RECOGN I S E THE S I GNS THAT SOMEONE

MAY BE S TRUGG L I NG WI TH MENTA L HEA L TH AND

PROV I D E VA LUAB L E RESOURCES TO HE L P .

StressEasily agitated

Feeling overwhelmed

Low energy

Frequently feeling ill

Avoiding others

Forgetfulness

Inability to focus

Constant worrying

is someoneat workstruggling?

Whether you're an owner, manager or

colleague, it's important to recognise 

signs and symptoms that someone may

be struggling with their mental health.

Read on to discover how to start the

conversation on mental health in the

workplace, and what to do to break the

stigma of seeking help.

anxiety

depressionNot able to complete work

tasks

Withdrawal from friends,

family and colleagues

Not enjoying activities that

they once used to

Unable to concentrate

Lacking confidence

Pessimistic outlook on life

Feeling sick or tired a lot

Sleeping problems

Excessive worrying

Feeling powerless to

change situations

Difficulty

concentrating

Difficulty

remembering things

Feeling tired or weak

Feeling tense or

wound up

Finding it hard to

think straight

how to ask 'are you okay?'BREAK THE S T I GMA OF MENTA L HEA L TH AWARENES S

I N THE WORKP LACE .

ENGAGE WI TH YOUR EMP LOYEE OR CO L L EAGUE WI TH

THESE FOUR T I P S :

AVO I D S I NG L I NG OUT YOUR CO L L EAGUE I N A GROUP

S E T T I NG . I N S T EAD , S E T T IME AS I D E TO HAVE A ONE ON

ONE CONVERSA T I ON I N A RE LAXED S E T T I NG .

# 1 MAKE I T A PR I VA T E CONVERSAT I ON

L I S T EN TO WHAT THE Y HAVE TO SA Y I N A NON -

J UDGEMENTA L AND SUPPOR T I V E MANNER . AVO I D

D I S T RAC T I ONS SUCH AS CHECK I NG YOUR PHONE OR

CHANG I NG THE CONVERSA T I ON .

# 2 BE PREPARED TO L I S T EN

ASK THEM HOW THE Y ARE F E E L I NG AND MAKE I T

C L EAR THA T YOU ’ RE THERE TO HE L P . ACKNOWLEDGE

AND VA L I DA T E ANY EMOT I ONS .

# 3 RESPOND I N THE R I GH T WAY

I F YOU ' RE AN EMP LOYER , MAKE A MENTA L HEA L TH

P LAN T A I L ORED TO SUPPOR T YOUR EMP LOYE E ' S

NEEDS . I F YOU ' RE A CO L L EAGUE , CHECK I N REGU LAR L Y

FOR SUPPOR T AND HOW YOU CAN AS S I S T .

# 4 OF F ER CONT I NUED SUPPORT

DO:

managingworkplacementalhealth

Educate all employees on the

importance of mental health –

leaders, managers and directors

included.

Create a space that encourages

all staff members to speak

openly about mental health

Educate staff on signs to watch

out for when it comes to mental

wellness (for themselves and

colleagues)

If you’re an employer or

manager, help staff manage

workloads — and be flexible

Have a support plan in place for

employees, including mental

health days, access to therapy

and peer support

Tailor a workplace mental

health plan to fit your

workplace.

DON'TMake assumptions about an

individual's mental health.

Assume everyone deals with

mental health in the same

manner.

Avoid performance

management as an initial means

of problem solving - an

employee who is late, missing

deadlines or not performing

may need support. Instead,

firstly set time aside to check in

and see if everything is okay.

Don't diagnose your employees.

Your job is to support your

employee so they can do their

job.

Don't go against employee

confidentiality. If a worker has

confided in you on their mental

health and has requested

privacy, don't go against their

wishes.

Don't avoid the conversation -

the more we speak about

workplace mental health, the

more comfortable it is to open

up.

need support?

Beyond Blue

Lifeline australia

SANE AUSTRALIA

mensline australia

https://www.sane.org.au 1800 18 72 63

https://www.lifeline.org.au/ 13 11 14

https://www.beyondblue.org.au 1300 22 46 36

https://mensline.org.au/ 1300 78 99 78