CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUMMIT 2019 Leading … · CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUMMIT...

CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUMMIT 2019

Leading from the top – creating a mentally healthy workplace

Georgie HarmanCEO Beyond Blue29 October 2019

© Beyond Blue Ltd 3

Mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”World Health Organization


Mental health is not static

Adaption based on Corey Keyes’ mental health continuum


Spectrum of mental ill-health in Australia


Green Yellow Orange RedEx

ampl

es

Feeling changes

• Normal mood fluctuations

• Sense of purpose• Enjoyment of life

• Irritable• Impatient• Some loss of

pleasure in usual interests

• Overwhelmed• Persistent self-

doubt• Loss of pleasure in

usual interests

• Depressed mood• Panic attacks• Guilt• Hopelessness

Thinking changes

• Good concentration

• Positive attitude

• Some lapses in concentration

• Forgetful

• Poor concentration• Bad decisions• Negative attitude

• Inability to concentrate

• Frequent suicidal thoughts

Behaviourchanges

• Consistent work performance

• Socially active • Taking things in

stride

• Subtle changes in work performance

• Decreased social activity

• Noticeable changes in work performance

• Social avoidance or withdrawal

• Substantial changes in work performance

• Isolation, avoiding social events

• Angry outbursts

Physical changes

• Physically well• Good energy level

• Muscle tension• Low energy

• Increased tension, aches and pains

• Increased fatigue

• Physical illness• Constant fatigue,

exhaustion

“…a place where people can work smart, contribute their best effort, be recognised for their work, and go home at the end of the day with energy left over.”

Guarding Minds@Work


A mentally healthy workplace is…

Myth #1

Other people’s mental health is none of my business



The case for mentally healthy workplaces


Legal obligationsLegislation 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 inherentrequirements 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 ‘reasonablemanagement action’

Good for business• Increases productivity and ROI• Reduces absenteeism and

compensation claims • Drives employee engagement• Helps attract and retain talented

employees


Mentally healthy workplace are good for everyone


Research Shows

KPMG and Mental Health Australia• Realistic improvements in mental ill-health can lift workforce

participation rates by 30% 1

Deloitte Australia• If 10 % more employees feel included, attendance could

increase by almost one day per year per employee 2

1. KPMG and Mental Health Australia, May 2018: Investing to Save: The economic benefits for Australia of investment in mental health reform

2. Deloitte & Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission 2012: Waiter, is that inclusion in my Soup? A new recipe to improve business performance, Deloitte, Sydney


Employees who consider their workplace to be mentally health are

LESS LIKELYTO TAKE TIMEOFF WORKFOR MENTAL HEALTHCONDITIONS

X

76%88%

EMPOYEES BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT TO WORK IN A

PHYSICALLY SAFE WORKPLACE

....AND….AGREE THEIR

WORKPLACE FITS THAT DESCRIPTION

EMPLOYEESBELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT

TO WORK IN A MENTALLY HEALTHY

WORKPLACE

AGREE THEIR WORKPLACE FITS

THAT DESCRIPTION

Mentally healthy workplaces are important to employees


Myth #2

Mental health is an HR issue



Workplace factors associated with positive mental health


Importance of senior leadership

Myth #3

We don’t have the time, money, resources to do this



SafeWork Australia found…..

• Median workers’ compensation payment for serious mental health-related claims was $24,500 compared to $9,200 across all other types of serious claims

• Over 7,200 employees successfully receive compensation for work-related mental health conditions each year – a combined cost of $540 million

Safe Work Australia Statistics: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/topic/mental-health, updated 29 July 2019

https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/topic/mental-health


Demonstrate your commitment Ensure everyone is educated about mental health Reduce stigma about mental health conditions Build the skills and confidence of managers Increase feedback from employees about how they do their work Help staff with mental health conditions seek treatment and support Support employees with mental health conditions Ensure a zero-tolerance to bullying Monitor workloads and work hours Provide clarity on job roles and responsibilities

As leaders and influencers what can we do?


Where to Start: headsup.org.au

Myth #4

Employees with mental health issues are unreliable and flaky



Imagine if physical injuries and diseases were treated like psychological injuries and diseases…

Myth #5

This has nothing to do with me! It’s about other people…



• “You haven’t seemed yourself lately. Is everything OK?”

• “Just take your time, there is no rush. I know talking about this can be difficult.”

• “What’s that like for you?”

• “Thanks for trusting me with this.”

• “What can I do to support you?”

• What have you tried already? Have you thought about seeing your doctor?”

• “Shall we call Beyond Blue together?”

Ask

Listen

Support

Have the Conversation


• Workplace mental health: headsup.org.au• 24/7 Support Service (immediate, confidential counselling, advice

and referral): 1300 22 4636 •Chat online with a mental health professional (3pm-midnight

AEST): www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support•NewAccess – Coaching you through tough times:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess• Information, knowledge and confidence to support the young

people in your life: healthyfamilies.org.au

Free Beyond Blue services for everyone

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support

CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUMMIT 2019 Leading … · CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUMMIT...

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