An estimated 1 in 5 Australians aged 16–85 will experience mental ill-health in any one year and over 2 in 5 will experience mental ill-health in their lifetime. That’s potentially a large part of our workforce.

The most common mental illnesses include anxiety and depressive disorders with the statistics above indicating that mental ill-health is likely in the majority of our workplaces. It is one of the leading causes of sickness absence and long-term work incapacity in Australia.

Workplaces that support the mental health of employees can help reduce this absenteeism and increase engagement, loyalty and productivity. It can also help businesses attract and retain talented and skilled people.

A mentally healthy workplace benefits every employee and every business, no matter the size or industry and is achievable for all organisations. The Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces is a good place to start.

In September 2021, Australia’s National Mental Health Commission released The Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces. The Blueprint has been produced as part of the National Workplace Initiative, an $11.5 million investment by the Commonwealth Government in creating a nationally consistent approach to mentally healthy workplaces in Australia.

According to the Blueprint, organisations and businesses are increasingly interested in creating mentally healthy workplaces but are unsure what action to take.

The Blueprint, developed in consultation with the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, the National Workplace Initiative Frameworks Working Group, and wide networks of people and organisations passionate about creating mentally healthy workplaces, is intended to create a foundation that can be tailored for specific workplace or industry contexts.

Click here to download The Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces.

For more information or support to create a mentally healthy workplace, contact Global Skills Disability Employment Services Manager Victoria Wellard or Executive Industry Manager Martin Petersons. Call 02 4732 1469 or email support@globalskills.com.au and ask to be connected.

Sources: Australia Institute of Health and Welfare – online resources, The Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces: National Mental Health Commission, Australian Bureau of Statistics – online resources, Creating mentally healthyworkplaces: Black Dog Institute, UNSW, National Mental Health Commission