Creating mentally healthy workplaces -...
Transcript of Creating mentally healthy workplaces -...
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