1 in 5 of us will experience symptoms of mental illness in any given year.

In Australia, that’s around 5 million people and roughly 60% of these people won’t seek help.

Mental illness has become the leading cause of long-term sickness absence and costs Australian businesses $12 billion per year. Depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders are the most common mental health conditions seen in the workplace. Although these conditions are treatable and often preventable, they can also cause prolonged sickness absence, and impact on the well-being and occupational functioning of those affected (Harvey et al., 2014).

A mentally healthy workforce is the foundation to a successful business. Business leaders play a key role in driving policies, strategies, and behaviours that promote positive mental health and wellbeing, with benefits extending across the whole business from an individual to the organisational level.

What to expect

Black Dog Institute is a world-renowned medical research institute, translating research into programs, resources, services, and digital tools to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.

This presentation will discuss key strategies for a creating mentally healthy workplace, highlighting the Black Dog Institute’s leading evidence-based programs and free resources available to build skills and provide support to your workplace.

About the presenter

Dr Bushra Afzal is Workplace Engagement Manager at Black Dog Institute, and her role is to increase engagement with Black Dog Institute’s mental health and wellbeing training, products and services across workplaces. She has a background in education and research and is very passionate about bringing Black Dog’s vision of “mentally healthier world” to life. Driven by science, compassion and action, she strives to implement Black Dog’s research and knowledge into easily accessible, practical programs and services across the broader community of workplaces.

References

1: Harvey, S. B., Joyce, S., Tan, L., Johnson, A., Nguyen, H., Modini, M., Growth, M. (2014). Developing a mentally healthy workplace: A review of the literature. Retrieved from

https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/getmedia/87b96bb9-689c-4308-b58e-37232c1e86a8/Developing-a-mentally-healthy-workplace

Contact the host of Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces with Black Dog Institute