{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research and analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) Solutions for your business Contracts Online Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Industrial relations
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2024 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Mental health at work

There is a lot of discussion about mental health, or “psychological health” at present. As a result, there is a growing focus on the role businesses can play in maintaining the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that psychological health also affects productivity. There is also an increase in workers’ compensation claims for mental health issues such as stress, depression, anxiety and more.

According to the Productivity Commission, almost half of all Australians will experience mental illness at some point in their life. The direct economic costs of lower economic participation and lost productivity range between $10 and $18 billion1.

There is growing recognition of the potential returns of lower absenteeism, increased productivity and reduced compensation claims from investing in strategies and programs to build mentally healthy workplaces.

It makes good business sense to manage the risks to psychological harm at work. There is also a legal requirement under the workplace health and safety laws to do this.

Historically, there has been less attention on mental health hazards in the workplace compared to physical hazards. Mental health hazards are much harder to define and address. It is not as obvious or clear what employers need to do, or what works when it comes to achieving a mentally healthy workplace.

There are many different approaches out there. Some focus on reactive methods to address mental health conditions, such as supportive counselling, awareness training and mental health first-aider training.

Although helpful for coping with problems, these methods do not necessarily address the underlying workplace factors that might have contributed to the state of poor mental health in the first place. Practical information and tools available to address mental health problems are also evolving.

Most workplace health and safety authorities consider that a mentally healthy workplace is one that has measures in place to prevent harm by identifying risks to mental health, managing risks from an early stage, and supporting recovery. At the same time, positive work-related factors are encouraged and promoted. States and territories are progressively introducing more explicit WHS regulations that also need to be complied with.

This means that for effective results, employers need to focus on identifying the work-related hazards and the systems of work that can be implemented to prevent or minimise risks of mental ill health or psychological health.

State and Territory Government agencies responsible for workplace health and safety have developed a range of tools, checklists, videos, and case studies to help employers apply these principles to comply with WHS laws. They are also designed to help you proactively address the known work-related causes of poor mental health. These include:

To find out more, contact HIA's Building Services team.

Email us

Share with your network:
More articles on:
{{ tag.label }} {{ tag.label }} $vuetify.icons.faTimes
Find the latest expert advice, guides and much more!

Managing your safety topics


 

Can’t find what you need, check out other resources that might be closer to the mark.

Building mentally healthy environments


 

HIA’s mental health program

  • Make mental health a priority in your workplace

Find out more