This World Mental Health Day the Minns Government is shining a light on the importance of workplace mental health and encouraging workplaces in NSW to minimise and prevent psychological harm at work.
A mentally healthy workplace is a great place to work, where a positive culture and engaged staff create an environment where there is better productivity and increased business and professional success.
SafeWork NSW is asking employers to explore the Workplace Wellbeing Assessment (WWA) digital tool, which can help businesses improve their understanding and management of workplace mental health.
The free tool allows businesses to confidentially survey their staff. Based on the results, the tool generates a detailed report with recommended actions on how the business can respond to risks and create a workplace where mental health thrives.
For business leaders who want to gauge how mentally healthy their workplace is without surveying their workforce, SafeWork NSW also has the Workplace Pulse Check. It is an 11 question survey which takes only 5 minutes. Users get practical actions to take to improve their score and make their workplace mentally healthier.
For more information on a mentally healthy workplace, visit the SafeWork Mental Health at Work website.
Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:
“Many of us spend more than a third of our days at work and if the workplace environment has unmanaged risks including high workloads, exposure to trauma, stress or bullying, work can have a significant impact on what the rest of our lives look like.
“When a workplace addresses psychosocial risks and other factors affecting mental health, it makes it easier to attract and keep great workers and support businesses to thrive.
“I encourage businesses today to use SafeWork NSW’s resources to find out more about their own workplace, and what they can do to improve its effects on mental health.”
Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said:
“Our mental health and that of those around us at work, home and socially should always be a priority.
“When you’re not taking care of your mental wellbeing you cannot function at 100% in any aspect of your life so it’s important to prioritise moments of self-care.
“We’ve had a tough few years particularly for those working on the front lines, facing a pandemic, fires, floods and now an El Nino declaration. I encourage everyone to use World Mental Health day as a time to check in on themselves and how they are prioritising their mental wellbeing in all aspects of their life.”
