2012 Demystifying Mental Health

45% of Australians aged 16–85 years will experience a common mental health-related condition – 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

In recognition of Mental Health Week (7 -14 Oct), this seminar provided leaders from all levels within the public and community services ways to identify mental illness in the workplace, outline strategies for leading through mental health, and highlight the clear productivity imperative of a healthy workforce.

Mental Health Commissioner Eddie Bartnik highlighted the statistics of mental health in Australia with up to $10,000 per year being spent on direct and indirect cost of mental health in the workplace, per full time employee. “A healthy, well supported, functional workforce are critical to dealing with mental health”. The Commissioner also identified the change of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in involving the community and public sector agencies.

Louise Howe provided a unique perspective on dealing with her own personal journey of mental health issues and the value of a support group such as Grow. “Settle for the order of lesser things for the sake of order in greater things, ie, don’t sweat the small stuff,” Ms Howe said.
Dorothy Lavell and Angela Martinovich highlighted the type of support required for dealing with mental health in the workplace and the factors influencing mental health conditions including sleep, family conditions, relationships, work and life events.

“Recommending an EA program is not helping your staff deal with mental health. Provide support with some scaffolds and let the individual choose from the options,” Ms Lavell said.

Notes:
Absenteeism + lost productivity = $9,660 per full-time employee with untreated depression p.a. ($650,000 p.a. per 1,000 employees)
Source: Caleo & Hilton, Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, 2004

Recommended Public Service Training

Workplace Mental Health & Developing Resilient Teams
This course will help you understand the impact of the current situation and future challenges to employee wellbeing. You will be introduced to key models to understand determinants of mental wellbeing and resilience as will also be provided with a simple framework for engaging in critical conversations to address mental health concerns in the workplace. You will leave with the confidence to proactively address wellbeing issues and a greater understanding on how to develop resilient and proactive team members.

Presenters