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Good mental health allows people to flourish – not just in their personal life and relationships, but at work too. After all, organisations are made up of people, and when employees thrive, organisations thrive.

However, statistics show that mental health conditions tend to affect individuals during their prime working years. This means there’s a high chance some of your team members are dealing with mental health issues right now.

And they may not feel comfortable sharing or seeking help.

So, as an employer or manager, what can you do?

Read on, as Organisational Psychologist Catherine Caballero shares her insights on practical ways to build a mentally healthy workplace. 

Mental health issues are common – and can be as crippling as physical illnesses

Mental health conditions affect more people than you think.

One in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness each year. And over the course of a lifetime, nearly half of all Australians will face a mental health condition.

What you may not realise is how much these issues can affect us.

Common mental health conditions such as depression, stress and anxiety do not just cause negative feelings and thoughts. They can have physical and behavioural effects as well – even in the workplace.

For example, people struggling with depression may feel sick and run-down, or suffer from constant headaches and muscle pains. They may also turn up to work late (or not at all), find it difficult to concentrate, or begin to withdraw from colleagues.

What’s more worrying, although mental health conditions can be just as debilitating as a serious physical illness, less than half of affected individuals seek support.

What a mentally healthy workplace looks like

A mentally healthy workplace fosters a positive culture that reduces risks to employees’ mental health. It also supports people with a mental health condition and prevents associated discrimination.

Did you know: One in three people have reservations about working with someone who is experiencing anxiety or depression.

By raising awareness and breaking down the stigma around mental health issues, employers can help create an environment that is actively supportive and inclusive.

A mentally healthy workplace means that:

• Employees and managers look forward to going to work and attending meetings
• Management is open to each individual’s needs
• Everyone is flexible and supportive of each other

That’s what a mentally healthy workplace should look like on the outside. But what are some of the shared internal beliefs within a mentally healthy workplace?

These include the assumptions that:

• Mental health is everyone’s responsibility
• Mental health is considered in every way you do business
• Everyone contributes to a positive and inclusive culture
• People should feel comfortable to talk about mental health
• Support is readily available to those who need it

The upside of a mentally healthy workplace

The rewards of cultivating a supportive, positive workplace are multi-fold.

Not only does it benefit individuals – by minimising their personal risk of deterioration – it also offers great advantages on an organisational and financial level.

Poor mental health costs Australian businesses more than $10 billion every year – due to absenteeism, reduced productivity and compensation claims.

On the other hand, a mentally healthy workplace boosts team morale and productivity, decreases turnover and results in significantly lower compensation claims. There are also fewer staff complaints and conflicts.

According to PwC research, every dollar a business invests into creating a mentally healthy workplace brings an average return of $2.30.

This shows that a mentally healthy workplace benefits everyone – from employees to managers to business owners.

On a broader societal level, mentally healthy workplaces also help raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental health.

How to build a more mentally healthy workplace

Creating a mentally healthy workplace is easier than most people think.

First of all, it’s important to understand what it means to have good mental health. There should also be an open environment where people are encouraged to have discussions about mental health. Then, employers and managers should provide relevant information or programs to support employees and colleagues.

But it’s not all just about the top level – everyone in the team has a part to play.

Regardless of your role in your office, here are some things you can do:

• Treat everyone in your team with respect and dignity
• Actively check in with colleagues
• Get to know your co-workers and make time for conversation
• Look out for the common signs of mental health difficulties
• Prioritise self-care, especially when it comes to your own mental health and safety

It’s important to remember that as employees, managers and business owners, it’s not your job to offer a diagnosis or counselling. But by working together to create a safe and positive workplace, you’re providing strong emotional support to those who need it.