The leaders of some of NSW’s biggest businesses will today commit to significantly improving mental health in their workplaces.
The senior executives will make the pledge at the NSW Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Summit, which brings together mental health experts, the business sector, government and worker representatives to discuss solutions for mental health issues at work.
Minister for Better Regulation Matt Kean said a recent analysis of current workplace mental health initiatives found they delivered strong and positive outcomes for NSW businesses, and for their employees.
“Businesses that invest in workplace mental health promotions can get a return of more than $4 for every $1 invested from reduced absenteeism and better productivity,” he said.
“But with nearly half of all businesses having no measures in place to specifically address mental health in the workplace; it’s clear that we can do more to support employees.
“Work health and safety leadership is driven from the top of an organisation and I commend the CEOs who will today pledge their commitment to improving mental health in their workplaces.”
Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies said the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy is part of the NSW Government’s comprehensive approach to improving mental health across the state.
“Many employers and indeed their workers may not know how to effectively and appropriately prevent and manage mental health issues in their workplace,” Ms Davies said.
“This summit has helped identify there is significant room for improvement in the workplace to better support people’s mental health. I welcome the commitment from business leaders’ today and look forward to the outcomes of such a collaborative effort.”
The NSW Government aims to release the Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy in early 2018.
For more information on the Work Health and Safety Roadmap for NSW 2022, or resources on mental health in the workplace, visit the SafeWork NSW website or call 13 10 50.