MENTALLY HEALTHY workplaces

Leading independent mental health organisation beyondblue has welcomed the federal government’s commitment of $11.5 million over four years towards “mentally healthy” workplaces.

Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman, who is also an active member of the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, said the funding would help support the mental health of over 12 million working Australians.

“This landmark budget funding for the National Mental Health Commission to lead the development of a new National Workplace Mental Health initiative will help us, for the first time, realise a truly national approach to workplace mental health,” she said.

“Mentally healthy workplaces are good for organisations and for workers. They lift participation and strengthen our economy and our communities.

“We know that for every dollar a workplace invests in the mental health of its people, it will receive an average $2.30 return, so mentally healthy workplaces make good business sense, too.”

Ms Harman said beyondblue has a strong track record of supporting workplace mental health across all sectors and industries and is looking forward to collaborating with the Alliance partners as a result of the funding announcement.

She also said the National Workplace Mental Health Initiative would offer hands-on tools for workplaces around Australia.

“After years of working with and listening to the needs of employers and employees, it’s clear we need to bring together the multiple and sometimes confusing array of programs,” she said.

“The initiative will do just that.”

The National Mental Health Commission will lead the four-year program on behalf of the Alliance.