CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUMMIT 2019 Leading from the top – creating a mentally healthy workplace Georgie Harman CEO Beyond Blue 29 October 2019
CORPORATE HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUMMIT 2019
Leading from the top – creating a mentally healthy workplace
Georgie HarmanCEO Beyond Blue29 October 2019
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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
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Mental health is not static
Adaption based on Corey Keyes’ mental health continuum
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Spectrum of mental ill-health in Australia
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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
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A mentally healthy workplace is…
Myth #1
Other people’s mental health is none of my business
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The case for mentally healthy workplaces
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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
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Mentally healthy workplace are good for everyone
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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
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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
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Myth #2
Mental health is an HR issue
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Workplace factors associated with positive mental health
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Importance of senior leadership
Myth #3
We don’t have the time, money, resources to do this
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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
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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?
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Where to Start: headsup.org.au
Myth #4
Employees with mental health issues are unreliable and flaky
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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…
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• “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
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• 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