Report: One in five Aussies say work negatively impacts their mental health

SuperFriend, a workplace mental health and wellbeing operation, has urged businesses to invest in workplace mental health initiatives. The call comes as almost a quarter of Australian workers (22.3%) say their workplace caused or worsened their mental health condition last year. The 2021 Indicators of a Thriving Workplace Report uncovered that 29.7% of employees value targeted mental health support ahead of flexible working hours (12.9%) and flexible conditions when ranking their most valued workplace initiatives. Targeted mental health support included their workplace providing mental health days, training through mental health workshops, and internal or external mental health support options such as counselling and employee assistance programs.

Sandra Surace, Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing Consultant at SuperFriend, encouraged employers across all industries to take time to assess and address their strategy for creating mentally healthy workplaces. “Mental health initiatives are mutually beneficial, proven to boost productivity and profits and improve employee retention — an area that is especially important as industry muddles through a talent shortage. With the end of the financial year around the corner, it’s the perfect time for businesses to spend their remaining budget on critical areas, like mental health and wellbeing initiatives, and be open to adapting their business to the evolving needs of the workforce,” Surace said.

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