A Healthier Workplace: Breaking down the barriers to mental health support in the workplace

One in five Australian adults experience a mental health condition each year, and it’s estimated that half of those struggling with mental health issues do not seek professional help.

For years, stigma and misconceptions have silenced conversations about mental health. While awareness has grown, significant barriers persist in the workplace.

Here's why:

• Stigma: The fear of judgement, discrimination, or negative stereotypes often prevents people from disclosing their mental health struggles.
• Lack of Awareness: Many employees may not be aware of available mental health resources or how to access them.
• Fear of Negative Consequences: Concerns about job security, career advancement, or being perceived as weak can deter individuals from seeking help.
• Workplace Culture: A toxic or unsupportive work environment can exacerbate mental health problems and discourage employees from seeking support.
• Financial Constraints: The cost of mental health services can be a significant barrier for many, particularly those on lower incomes.

Some ideas to overcome this? 

• Train Mental Health First Aiders: Invest in training a portion of your workforce as Mental Health First Aiders. These individuals can recognise signs of mental health distress, offer initial support, and guide people towards professional help. Get accredited here. 
• Normalise Mental Health Conversations: Encourage open and honest discussions about mental health, reducing stigma and fostering a supportive workplace culture.
• Provide Accessible Mental Health Resources: Offer a range of mental health services, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), mental health first aid training, and flexible work arrangements.
• Educate Leaders, Managers and Wellbeing Champions: Train leaders and managers to recognise signs of mental health distress, respond empathetically, and provide appropriate support. 
• Promote Mental Health Awareness: Organise workshops, seminars, and campaigns to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma.
• Create a Supportive Workplace Culture: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered.
• Offer Flexible Work Arrangements: Provide options like flexible hours, remote work, and job sharing to reduce stress and improve work-life balance.

Additional Tips for a Healthier Workplace:

• Wellbeing Initiatives: Offer programs like lunchtime mindfulness sessions, yoga classes, morning run club, self-care days and/or healthy catering. 
• Promote Physical Activity: Encourage physical activity through initiatives like walking challenges or subsidised gym memberships.
• Focus on Job Design and Workload:
• Manage workloads effectively: Monitor workloads and ensure they are reasonable and manageable.
• Identify and mitigate workplace stressors: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential sources of stress and take steps to address them.
• Develop return-to-work plans: Provide support and adjustments to help employees return to work after a period of leave due to mental health concerns.

In order to create a psychologically safe and mentally healthy workplace, we must actively address common barriers to mental health support. This is an ongoing process, not a one-step solution. By implementing lasting change and educating workers on how to have supportive conversations, we empower both employees to disclose mental health issues and their colleagues to respond with empathy and understanding. This not only improves employee wellbeing but also enhances productivity, reduces absenteeism, and strengthens company culture.

Gain the confidence and skill set to support mental health with our Mental Health First Aid Training.