National mental health initiative ‘Beyond Blue’ have recently launched a new campaign and it’s all about mentally healthy workplaces.
‘Heads Up’ is the latest movement from Beyond Blue, in conjunction with Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance and the mission is clear – business leaders in Australia must take action on mental health in the workplace.
According to Beyond Blue, untreated depression results in over 6 million working days lost annually in Australia’s business community.
Broken down, that equates to 3-4 days off per month for each person with untreated depression, 12 million days of reduced productivity and a loss of $10.9 billion each year Australia wide.
It’s clear from those alarming statistics that businesses who invest in mental health also invest in financial health. Price Waterhouse Cooper have released research findings, showcasing the financial impact of employee’s mental health conditions on productivity, work attendance and compensation claims and revealing that every $1 spent by Australian businesses on mental health strategies will return an average of $2.30.
As part of Heads Up, employers are being encouraged to take the lead by commencing change from the top and driving positive policies and practices that promote a healthy workplace culture.
By visiting the Beyond Blue website, employers can get a heads up on their legislative responsibilities, strategies to create mentally healthy workplaces and insights from other business leaders who have implemented mental health initiatives in their workplaces. From 16 June 2014, businesses can access an interactive tool to create a customised action plan, identifying and addressing priority areas and receiving guidance of how to get started.
Like any nation-wide campaign, momentum will gather when people start talking and you can help spread the Heads Up word. Make your next office water cooler conversation about Heads Up and it’s mission, then take to social media. Like and share the campaign post on Facebook, retweet Heads Up tweets on Twitter, using hashtags #WorkplaceMH or #HeadsUpAU and follow, like and share Beyond Blue and Heads Up on LinkedIn.
Visit Heads Up website to find out more about how you can support this campaign. You can also access the PWC Report – pass it on to your HR and leadership team at work.
Be part of the positive culture change that is Heads Up and look forward to a future of mentally healthy workplaces for our 11.5 million strong working community.
