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Practical tools for creating mentally
healthy workplaces
OUTLINE
1. Why is mental health important?
2. How to create a mentally healthy workplace?
3. How can Heads Up assist?
4. What are next steps?
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS – SIGNS &
SYMPTOMS
WORKPLACE STIGMA & DISCRIMINATION
• 69% of people are uncomfortable disclosing a mental illness to their employer
• 35% would never disclose a mental illness to their employer
• 48% of people who have taken time off due to mental illness did not disclose the reason to anybody in their workplace
• Over 20% with a mental illness have experienced discrimination in the workplace
TNS Social Research (2014). State of workplace mental healthMental Health Council of Australia (2013). Mental health still taboo in the workplace
PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY CLAIMS
• “Psychological injury claims are steadily increasing and incur the largest proportion of expense in relation to compensation claims” (Safe Work Australia, 2012).
• "Psychological injury costs continue to rise and the length of time ill and injured people are away from their work has worsened at public sector workplaces'' (Comcare, 2013)
MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS COST
AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS $10.9 BILLION A YEAR
PWC, (2014). Creating a mentally healthy workplace: Return on investment analysis.
FOR EVERY
$1 INVESTED
IN MENTAL
HEALTH
INITIATIVES…
…THERE’S
AN AVERAGE
RETURN ON
INVESTMENT
(ROI) OF $2.30
……
INVESTING IN WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH
PROVIDES A SIGNIFICANT ROI
PWC, (2014). Creating a mentally healthy workplace: Return on investment analysis.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF A MENTALLY
HEALTHY WORKPLACE
60% OF EMPOYEES
ARE MORE
COMMITTED
TO THE
ORGANISATION
68% SAY THEY’RE
LESS LIKELY TO SEEK
EMPLOYMENT
ELSEWHERE
45% LEFT A
WORKPLACE
BECAUSE OF POOR
MENTAL HEALTH
CONDITIONS
Instinct & Reason, (2014). Employer of Choice study.
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS RELATING TO MENTAL
HEALTH
Legislation Employers Employees
Work health & safety
Eliminate & minimise risks to health & safety (as is ‘reasonablypracticable’)
Take care of their own and others health and safety
Discrimination Provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ for employees
Able to fulfil inherentrequirements 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 ‘reasonablemanagement action’
OUTLINE
1. Why is mental health important?
2. How to create a mentally healthy workplace?
3. How can Heads Up assist?
4. What are next steps?
WHAT IS A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE?
A ‘mentally healthy workplace’ is one where all individuals actively:
• look after their own mental health
• promote a positive workplace culture
• minimise workplace risks related to mental health
• support people with mental health conditions appropriately.
CREATING A MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE
RAISE AWARENESS
• Make available information about mental health conditions & available support (e.g. beyondblue, SANE, Black Dog Institute)
• Promote mental health related events (e.g. Go Home on Time Day, RUOK? Day)
• Promote what your organisation is doing to create a mentally healthy workplace
• Have organisational leaders speak openly about mental health in the workplace (including any personal experiences)
• Invite a guest speaker to talk about their personal experience of a mental health condition ([email protected])
• Establish a proven track record of supporting people with mental health conditions
REDUCE STIGMA
SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH MENTAL
HEALTH CONDITIONS
• Provide educational resources or training for how to approach someone you are concerned about
• Make reasonable adjustments for staff with mental health conditions to enable them to stay at or return to work
MINIMISE RISKS RELATED TO MENTAL
HEALTH
1.Identify risk factors (e.g. by seeking feedback from workers)
2.Reduce risk factors (e.g. lack of role clarity, poor workplace relationships)
3.Increase protective factors (e.g. social support, supportive leadership, increase flexibility)
SUICIDE PREVENTION
• Establish policies and procedures for supporting someone who may be at risk of suicide
• Make available information about warning signs for suicide and emergency contact numbers
• Provide training to key staff in suicide first aid (e.g. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST))
OUTLINE
1. Why is mental health important?
2. How to create a mentally healthy workplace?
3. How can Heads Up assist?
4. What are next steps?
OVERVIEW OF HEADS UP
• Developed by beyondblue in collaboration with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance
• Funded by the Commonwealth Government
• Aims to assist organisations and individuals create mentally workplaces
• The Heads Up initiative includes:• Interactive website (www.headsup.org.au)• Marketing campaign • Engagement program
MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACE ALLIANCE
HEADS UP WEBSITE (WWW.HEADSUP.ORG.AU)
• A central point online for workplaces
• Simple, practical, and FREE resources
• Resources for all individuals (leaders, business owners, HR, OHS, managers, frontline staff)
• Case studies, videos, tools, fact sheets, brochures, booklets
• Key feature - Heads Up Action Plan tool
OUTLINE
1. Why is mental health important?
2. How to create a mentally healthy workplace?
3. How can Heads Up assist?
4. What are next steps?
NEXT STEPS
• Resource development
• Union delegates’ toolbox talk resources
• Online resource - work health & safety obligations
• Self-employed & microbusiness owners
• Taking care of your mental health
• Stronger state-base engagement approach
• Marketing activities
Find out more at
headsup.org.au
