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Work – An Important Factor Impacting Mental Health
Work is an important, and often overlooked, factor impacting mental health – but change is underway.
The increased prevalence of mental illness is a global health concern, and Tasmania is no exception. The Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that Tasmanians have the highest rate of long-term mental health conditions in the country – 11.5% compared with the national average of 8.8%.
In 2020, a national Mental Health Inquiry Report published by the Productivity Commission found that building capability for both preventative and responsive actions in workplaces represents a significant population health lever.
Let’s break that down a bit further:
- Work and occupation are recognised contributing factors to a person’s state of mental health and quality of life.
- Considerable research evidence links biological mechanisms in stress physiology to cumulative and/or acute work-related psychosocial hazards exposure.
- Workplace psychosocial hazards include interpersonal aggression, violence, bullying / harassment, high job demands, long working hours and insecure work, just to name a few. These factors are associated with increased risk of mental health problems including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Working conditions are also associated with suicidal thoughts and tendencies, as well as a broad range of physical health problems including cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders.
In recognition of the impact of these factors, WorkSafe Tasmania has adopted the Safework Australia Model Code of Practice to guide employers on work, health and safety expectations relating to psychosocial hazard management.
However, there are a multitude of other factors that affect mental health (including biological and situational factors not related to work). Therefore, even in organisations with effective management of psychosocial hazards, there is still a need to be inclusive and responsive to both temporary and longer-term mental health conditions in the workplace.
The advantages of a mentally healthy workplace
A positive work environment should support our mental health, offering more than just a financial return. The benefits of mental stimulation, opportunities for achievement, and social connections all contribute to better mental health and wellbeing.
At an organisational level, prioritising mental health in the workplace is no long a ‘nice to have’. It’s a crucial element of business strategy. Organisations that have a strong focus on employee mental health see benefits in relation to business productivity, as well as staff attraction and retention.
On a larger scale, research shows that labour force participation among people with mental health conditions is low, which negatively impacts overall productivity at a local and national level. To address this issue, it makes sense for organisations to adapt their work practices where possible to encourage greater participation from individuals facing various health challenges, including mental health issues.
Understanding the current landscape in Tasmania
To build capacity in our workplaces, we first need to understand the current landscape across all sectors, including industry, government, non-profits, and small businesses. This is where the Menzies’ Working Well study comes into play.
Working Well represents the largest survey ever undertaken of the Tasmanian workforce, covering all industries, sectors, and regions.
The study will explore key issues regarding how mental health is managed in Tasmanian workplaces by gathering insights from workers and employers. Findings from the study will provide foundational data for establishing a baseline to benchmark changes over time ,and identify emerging challenges and issues.
The Working Well data will inform the upcoming Tasmanian Workplace Mental Health Framework, which is being led by the WorkCover Tasmania Board, and developed by WorkSafe Tasmania and the Department of Health.
Tell us what’s working well
Worker and employer perspectives are essential for this research. Representation is needed to ensure that the new Tasmanian Workplace Mental Health Framework is data-driven and addresses real and relevant needs.
Our goal is to engage over 600 organisations and more than 13,000 workers in the study, representing 5% and 10% of the state’s respective totals. Organisations will be randomly selected through a process designed to access a broad sample, and approached directly for a telephone interview with one of our Tasmanian-based research assistants.
At the worker level, we are inviting anyone over 18 years of age who resides in Tasmania and is engaged in the workforce to undertake a 20-minute online survey.
Our Working Well team at Menzies is appealing to the Tasmanian public to help us achieve the largest ever workplace mental health survey in Tasmania, and ensure that our data collection is representative of our state’s workforce.
This study provides the opportunity for all Tasmanian workers to have a say in how workplace mental health is managed in the future, at a policy and practice level. Put simply, we’re asking Tasmanians to do the online survey so their voice can be heard.
Author: Professor Angela Martin
Professor Angela Martin is a Research Fellow in Work and Mental Health at Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania.
This article was written for The Mercury newspaper and published on 2 December 2024.
References for many of the points in this article can be found here: https://issuu.com/menziesinstituteformedicalresearch/docs/uot220907_menzies_mental_health_v2_op_web_002_