How often when you think of your work environment do you consciously think of mental health? New statistics indicate that 75% of senior business leaders in Australia now realise that mental health should be an increasing focus within workplaces.
A year ago, boyondblue, a mental health not-for-profit entity, and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance initiated the ‘Heads Up’ program aimed at providing information, resources and strategies to help workplaces implement action plans for improvement in this area.
A significant change in attitudes towards mental health occurred within more than 300 senior leaders and other managers of Australian businesses. A report from Social research agency TNS said the number of senior leaders who indicated they had information and materials regarding mental health at work had risen to almost two-thirds, an increase of 29% since the launch of ‘Heads Up’. More than half (54 per cent) these senior managers also said their workplaces were running mental health awareness training, also an increase of 29%.
The impact of employees’ mental health conditions cost Australian employers at least $10.9 billion a year. However, a PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by beyondblue last year found that for every $1 invested in effective mental health strategies, Australian businesses received an average return of $2.30.
Business Council Australia CEO, Jennifer Westacott, said such outcomes show businesses are increasingly understanding the economic and health benefits of mentally healthy workplaces, stating “The return on investment is clear…. Mentally healthier workplaces deliver for everyone – employees, employers, customers and shareholders”.
Perhaps in the future the link between metal health and the work environment will be even more clear.
- Peter Williams - ABS HR Specialist