Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces a REVIEW of the Research
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Creating mentally healthy workplaces A REVIEW of the research Mental illness is one of the OVERVIEW leading causes of sickness A mentally healthy workplace is achievable for all organisations, but requires a genuine, continuous absence and long-term commitment across all levels of the workplace. work incapacity in Australia. The majority of mental illness seen in the workplace is treatable and in some cases may be preventable. At any point in time, one in six working age people will be living with mental Employers and workplaces can play an active role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of their illness, costing Australian businesses workers as well as supporting the recovery of staff in the vicinity of $11 billion dollars each with mental health problems and the caring role that year. Meanwhile, many are also caring so many people play. for and supporting people with mental Individuals frequently identify work as providing a health difficulties while juggling sense of purpose, acceptance within society, and work and home responsibilities. opportunities for development, therefore playing a pivotal role in a person’s recovery. A new report for the National MENTAL Health Commission and the Mentally Developing a mentally healthy workplace requires an understanding of the key issues of job design, Healthy Workplace Alliance offers team and organisational factors, combined with Australian business leaders new ways home/work conflict and individual factors. Employers should to support the mental health of feel empowered Work performance is highest when staff report high employees and reduce the personal to make changes levels of psychological well-being and job satisfaction. and economic risks of mental ill health. within their Business leaders need to think of workplace mental THIS REPORT BRINGS LEADING MENTAL HEALTH workplace health strategy as an ongoing process, well beyond to make them more AND BUSINESS EXPERTS TOGETHER TO LOOK simply putting a policy in place to providing a series mentally healthy AT THE EVIDENCE OF WHAT WORKS. of targeted actions that promote mental health. “...HAVING A HEALTHY Economic analyses consistently show GOOD MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE IS that mental health conditions are IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE costing Australian businesses in the SUCCESS OF ANY vicinity of $11 billion dollars each year Every dollar spent on effective through absenteeism, reduced work mental health actions returns $2.30 BUSINESS...” performance, increased turnover rates in benefits to the organisation. Jennifer Westacott, Chief Executive, Business Council and compensation claims. PwC/beyondblue/ of Australia & Chair, Mental Health Australia National Mental Health Commission (2014) SIX KEY AREAS AND STRATEGIES FOR CREATING MENTALLY HEALTHY WORKPLACES The research shows that there are six domains which workplaces need to address to maximise the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce. A number of evidence-based strategies have also been identified. SMARTER WORK BUILD BETTER DESIGN WORK CULTURES ✔ Create flexibility around working hours and ✔ Provide training programs for leaders where, when and how work is performed and supervisors including workplace mental health education ✔ Create more opportunities for individuals and teams to be involved ✔ Ensure senior staff are engaged in in decision-making processes mental health promotion and ensuring a safe and positive climate ✔ Meet WHS requirements to reduce risks to mental and physical injury ✔ Develop, implement and monitor a mental health policy including zero tolerance of bullying and discrimination BUILD ✔ Ensure that change is managed in an RESILIENCE inclusive manner with open and realistic communication ✔ Provide stress management and resilience training for those in high risk jobs EARLY ✔ Provide stress management and resilience INTERVENTION training which use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy ✔ Promote and facilitate staff to seek ✔ Create a workplace that provides help early opportunities for regular physical activity ✔ Consider conducting well-being ✔ Provide mentoring and coaching checks once appropriate support and resources are in place ✔ Offer Employee Assistance Programs SUPPORT which use experienced staff and RECOVERY evidence-based methods ✔ Provide mental health training so all ✔ Provide training programs for leaders staff can help support each other and supervisors on how to support ✔ Consider providing a peer support workers’ recovery from mental illness program for staff and during stressful life events ✔ Facilitate flexible sick leave arrangements INCREASE ✔ Provide return-to-work programs AWARENESS ✔ Modify job/work schedule/duties where appropriate ✔ Provide access to mental health ✔ Ensure that those with a history information and resources of mental illness (and their carers) are not discriminated against ✔ Conduct regular mental health awareness programs and training ✔ Include mental health education in staff induction development ✔ Actively engage in R U OK? Day and World Mental Health Day Strategies are needed at the individual, team & organisational levels Developing a mentally healthy workplace is a continuous AND ONgoing process These five steps can help guide an evidence-based, staged approach to developing and implementing a workplace mental health strategy, and creating a mentally healthy workplace. en tal E er m vid 3 ath rous enc . G ume e-b e n en a S lac the t ion, han se T p ng nisa sup ci d rk si rga por ng ap R o u w y r o lt tin p p r ll ou su Incr g er ro A u na y e re ea ea so a o r at h ise sin rl n ch T y te k . T xim re g y a e n x o n a du a he l a s i e o ig m rs. cin w l n E s d L es to cto g ar p d in e n . d as fa s e -s c G u a le e sk ti n e o lu s b b r ri g e e r is y a jo a e m s k g d Y l l il f is a s i a e g a a d o m m o n n n v n n i f g i im in r a a o in u m s y e i s a a p l s t m n t s l t e t l r a a d b n d i r e in o ic n o o u f e t w n v d o i a a n t d t a i i a l o n o n s l n u i t iv r ll h r g t n e o e k r d t p e e a e d a e j i c e in s o h a r l r i t m m , e f t s l b v r h i e s b ’ e t a o r e r d f s a n u u m v e d i i n c e o n s l v i a t 1. ESTABLISH c d e s u e a e c o i k , h t o . g r e e v t t l h e n o m s o , a commitment and r r y W e p . h leadership support Team leaders play a key role in mentally healthy workplaces. P Explain the business case and i n A r c o c c return on investment for implementing . l o v k u g i s n U d d effective strategies and foster a n t o i s , e e a e w . n s commitment to addressing d r f e n t t e e l d i e v a h g i l s e r d mental health at an individual t i m i p s e d o c s g t s t b s a a e and organisational level. e s a f n s s i , a f n n w e l c e o i a g a c k n n c e h t i e a m k t a r s o f o t t r a u p e o o i n w s s e b p n f m t i o w ie d o a n m t s r o g e n r l e t k r l a t h a e k te u r r i p h n e e k s n a t i a s e . g r im l t t t l h C a a y t o o o n s e h l d h h e t r d m w t t h o is p e m h al l b s a r o at e r a u r s, n is h te t u e ti l c n’t. l f n ild s ci im ha a a e a pa it llen nt d m a nd t i ed ges e n w c on re m a re o o , o sour ur re tu rk ns r f ces, f yo fo fu pl eq ear e i be r ac ue of rmin ta fo e nc Dete da g of es. are kin exc omp -ma e lle C ion nce. ecis inform d Create a culture that understands that the majority of mental illness seen in the workplace is treatable and in some cases may be preventable. Workplaces that support Mental illness is now the CREATE A CUSTOMISED the mental health of ALL leading cause of sickness employees can reduce absence and long-term BUSINESS ACTION PLAN AT absenteeism & presenteeism work incapacity in most and increase employee developed countries.