The connection between work and mental health is increasingly recognized as a critical aspect of overall well-being. Acknowledging that meaningful and rewarding work positively impacts mental health, the flip side reveals that poorly managed workplaces with high workloads, customer aggression, strained worker relationships, and other psychosocial hazards can have detrimental effects. Safe Work Australia’s recently released Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace report highlights a concerning trend, revealing a 36.9% increase in work-related mental health issues since 2018.
The report underscores the significant impact of mental health conditions on workplaces, surpassing the median time lost and compensation paid for all other injuries and illnesses combined by over four times. This finding underscores the urgent need for addressing workplace psychosocial hazards, which, akin to physical health and safety hazards, can cause psychological harm. Factors such as high and low job demands, isolated work conditions, and poor role clarity contribute to the deterioration of mental health in the workplace.
One pervasive issue highlighted in the report is the stigma faced by workers who make claims for mental health conditions, originating from both colleagues and superiors. This stigma further exacerbates the challenges faced by individuals already grappling with mental health issues.
The report also unveils a disproportionate impact on women, with 57.8% of all reported mental health conditions attributed to female workers. Industries with a higher percentage of female employees, such as healthcare, social assistance, public administration, and safety, exhibit higher rates of serious mental stress, workplace bullying, work pressure, and exposure to workplace violence.
Recognizing the crucial role of time outside of work for mental health, the report emphasizes the erosion of this boundary due to the widespread integration of digital communication technologies. The Australia Institute’s findings reveal that 79% of Australians have worked beyond scheduled hours, accumulating an average of 280 extra work hours annually. In response to this growing concern, the Albanese Government recently passed a ‘right to disconnect’ law, allowing workers to ignore unreasonable communication from employers outside of work hours, promoting a healthier separation between professional and personal lives.
To further address workplace mental health, the Australian Council of Trade Unions has launched the Mind Your Head campaign. This initiative aims to enhance workplace mental health, preventing mental health injuries before they occur by providing workers with up-to-date research, resources, and tools. Mind Your Head is committed to keeping workers informed about workplace psychosocial safety in Australia, fostering a healthier and more supportive work environment.
