How a Mentally Healthy Workplace Benefits Everyone

An international study reveals thousands of Australians hide their depression in the workplace fearing misunderstanding, stigma, and discrimination. Not only does depression cost Australian businesses millions of dollars each year in sick leave and stress leave, depression can also adversely impact multiple areas of employee performance, including focus and decision making, time management, completing physical tasks, social interactions, and communication. So what can employers do to create a mentally healthy workplace and ultimately lessen the impact of mental illness on the organisation and employee?

The Impact of Depression in the Workplace

According to an ABS study, it is estimated that untreated mental health conditions cost Australian workplaces approximately $10.9 billion per year. This is comprised of:

$4.7 billion in absenteeism – employees missing days of work

$6.1 billion in presenteeism – employees at work but not engaged

$146 million in compensation claims

Surprisingly, only 26% of Australians are honest with their employers about taking time off for mental health reasons. Why?

• Many feel it would put their job at risk.
• Some just don’t want to tell anyone.
• Most feel their employer wouldn’t understand.
• Some feel their workplace wouldn’t know how to help.

Very concerning is that most of the reasons relate to lack of understanding by employers and an inability by them to provide adequate support. Fear of stigma and discrimination are a real barrier to disclosure and although most Australians expect mental health support in the workplace, many are still unwilling, or are not aware of, or are unable to access appropriate resources.

What is a Mentally Healthy Workplace?

A mentally healthy workplace protects and promotes mental health and empowers people to seek help for depression, for the benefit of the employee, the organisation and the community. Mentally healthy environments are positive places where everyone feels supported and able to do their best work.

A healthy workplace can:

• Improve staff morale and engagement
• Improve productivity
• Reduce staff turnover
• Improve interpersonal relationships, resulting in fewer conflicts and complaints
• Reduce workers’ compensation claims
• Improve the business’s reputation as a fair and healthy workplace

How to Create a Mentally Healthy Environment at Work

While creating a mentally healthy workplace culture is everybody’s responsibility, ultimately it needs to start from the top with leaders building positivity and taking steps to reduce any risk factors for stress. Most workplaces should have their own unique plan to ensure workplace mental health is a priority, but some key measures should include:

• Encouraging everyone to speak openly about mental health
• Identifying and reducing risks to employee mental health
• Encouraging career and personal development
• Communicating with employees regularly about issues affecting them and the business
• Supervising staff and offering constructive feedback
• Providing comprehensive induction programs to help employees understand the business and their role in maintaining a mentally healthy workplace
• Encouraging a workplace culture where employees support each other and diversity is valued
• Offering flexible working arrangements.
• Providing access to counselling services and/or specialist support groups

Improved understanding of mental health in the workplace can reduce stigma, making employees feel comfortable to disclose their depression without fear of discrimination. Support will then be more accessible, through flexible work practices and other strategies, as well as promoting access to depression treatment.

With the right treatment depression can be successfully treated. If you or someone you know is suffering depression, it is important to seek depression treatment sooner rather than later. Give the expert team at Psylegal a call today and speak with one of our highly trained and experienced Psychologists. Conveniently located in Melbourne, Psylegal makes depression treatment easily accessible for Melbourne workers. Make an appointment today.