National Workplace Initiative Updates

We are delighted to share the updated Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces, based on extensive feedback received to Release 1.

Revisions in Release 2 of the Blueprint include making organisations’ legislated requirements clearer and providing more detail about the three core pillars. 

We are also releasing the Measuring Mentally Healthy Workplaces guides that support organisations to use measurement as a key tool in a continual improvement approach to creating mentally healthy workplaces.  

Recognising the unique issues and challenges facing organisations of different sizes, there are guides specifically for sole traders and small business, and medium to large organisations.  

We would love to know what you think of these new resources, please send us an email or complete the surveys to share your feedback. We also encourage you to use the social media assets included in the communications pack to share these resources within your networks.

Forthcoming releases

We look forward to releasing other new resources over coming months to support a nationally consistent approach to mentally healthy workplaces. Keep your eye out for our guides for small businesses, supporting career transitions and mentally healthy hybrid workplaces.

The digital platform we are building aims to act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ to help organisations navigate information that can help their workplace become more mentally healthy. This includes content curated from a range of organisations including government agencies, academic institutions, industry associations, unions and service providers.

We need a clear process for quality assurance so organisations can trust that the resources provided within the digital platform are informed by evidence, reflect legislated requirements and are accessible.

We have drafted a proposed Quality Assurance Framework for assessing third-party content submitted to the NWI’s digital platform. Your feedback can help us ensure this framework is on track to create confidence and trust in the resources we connect to.

Share your feedback

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on Release 1 of the Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces.

We heard positive feedback on the Blueprint including:

• Presenting complex ideas related to mental health and wellbeing in a format that was approachable and easy to understand.  
• Using graphic design and illustration as a powerful tool for engaging readers and communicating complex concepts.  
• Adopting a focus that extended beyond the traditional “mental illness lens” to consider the broader nature of mentally healthy workplaces. 

We also heard some areas for improvement including:

• The difference between legislated requirements and aspirational aspects of mentally healthy workplaces could be more clearly differentiated. 
• Orient organisations to start with their legislated requirements first rather than necessarily suggesting the three pillars are of equal importance or relevance. 
• Go further in capturing the complex systems-level approach to creating mentally healthy workplaces – representing the layers of factors that shape workplaces (e.g. policy, funding, legislation, industry-level groups). 

See Release 2 of the Blueprint

New research, resources and other initiatives in mentally healthy workplaces that have come across our desk.

New workshop series: SuperFriend and ReturnToWorkSA are delivering a series of virtual mentally healthy workplaces workshops in September. The program developed by SuperFriend aims to support Return to Work Coordinators and employers in South Australia in key areas including how to implement strategies for self-care and well-being and protecting against negative stress, fatigue and burnout.

Leader and manager training: New face-to-face or virtual Comcare instructor-led paid training is now available specifically for leaders on influencing positive change, and for managers on preventing and managing workplace sexual harassment. To find out more or for a quote, email education@comcare.gov.au.

Workplace impact on mental health: New research from the Diversity Council of Australia has found that almost as many Australian workers reported that work had a negative impact on their mental health (31%) as those who reported a positive impact (32%). The report Mapping the State of Inclusion and Mental Health in the Australian Workforce highlighted the importance of effective workplace programs and approaches to support people’s wellbeing and support those experiencing poor mental health.

Boost to mining mental health program: The Western Australian Government announced an additional $6.5 million for the Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) program as part of its State Budget 2022-23. Launched in December 2021, the MARS program boosts responses to mental health, workplace culture and mine safety in Western Australia's mining sector. Read more here.

Empathy and thriving workplaces: The Never Not Creative industry initiative recently released a new report into levels of empathy in the media, marketing and creative industry and the impact on workplace culture. The report included a survey of 500 people from creative, media, marketing, digital, PR and publishing backgrounds and interviews with industry leaders.

Mentally Healthy Workplaces during COVID-19: A reminder that organisations can access the Mentally Healthy Workplaces and COVID-19: Emerging Issues series which provides expert insights and tips to address key challenges impacting workplace mental health. The guides also connect organisations to further sources of guidance and support. 

Many of our readers have requested access to the latest research, reports and information from the sector. The above list of resources have been shared with the Commission this month. Please note these resources are provided as a service to our readers and do not imply endorsement.

The Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance and the National Mental Health Commission have developed a new set of guides to support workplaces in responding to issues arising from COVID-19.  

The guides focus on practical ways we can all work towards a mentally health workplace as more Australians return to workplaces and manage various COVID-19 concerns, such as fear of infection.  

The series includes: 

• Helping people return to workplaces after extended periods working at home during COVID-19   
• Strategies to support wellbeing of decision makers through periods of sustained pressure     
• Identifying and managing fatigue and burnout during COVID-19   
• The hidden impact of COVID-19 on sleep 
• Creating mentally healthy hybrid teams in the recovery from COVID-19   
• Responding to COVID-19 concerns in the workplace     
• Supporting people experiencing post-COVID-19 syndrome.

The new guides complement the Mentally Healthy Workplaces during COVID-19 resources released in 2020 with a focus on addressing current challenges. 

A reminder that you can still sign up for upcoming opportunities to shape our work including:

• Platform testing: Test out the digital platform for mentally healthy workplaces to help us build something that meets your needs. Involvement may involve testing the site’s layout, exploring its features and testing different functionalities.
• Content collaboration: Help inform our information and resources on a range of important topics around mentally healthy workplaces. Involvement may involve participating in research such as workshops and surveys or providing feedback on drafts.

Visit our co-design registration page for more details.

New research, resources and other initiatives in mentally healthy work that have come across our desk.

Supporting ongoing reform momentum: The Australian Government has signalled its ongoing commitment to the reform of the mental health and suicide prevention systems in this week’s 2022-23 Federal Budget, the National Mental Health Commission has said. The Budget detailed the second stage of Federal investment in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan and increasing its total commitment to $3 billion. Read the Commission’s statement here.

Upcoming information sessions: SafeWork NSW is hosting free online information sessions for NSW businesses on the new Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work and the free People at Work psychosocial risk assessment tool. The sessions are designed to help businesses meet their work health and safety obligations. Register here.

Crisis management and mental health: National Mental Health Commission CEO Christine Morgan, Resilience NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and The Resilience Project Founder Hugh van Cuylenburg will discuss ‘Crisis management and the impacts on resilience and mental health’ at the 2022 Comcare National Conference from 7-8 June. Early-bird tickets are available here.

Anxiety amid global crisis: When crises such as COVID-19, wars, or natural disasters are reported in the news one after another, it can elevate anxiety. Professor Jennie Hudson, Head of Research at Black Dog Institute, has provided advice for coping with anxiety in times of global crisis. Read it here.

Small business mental health: Small business owners are reminded they can access the free and confidential mental health coaching program, NewAccess for Small Business Owners, developed by Beyond Blue. Earlier this year, the Commonwealth Government announced additional funding which would continue the service until December 2022.

Industry-led initiatives: Readers can still access the NWI’s series on industry initiatives supporting mentally healthy workplaces. The series showcases current industry-level approaches and provides a practical guide for setting up industry-led initiatives.

Many of our readers have requested access to the latest research, reports and information from the sector. The above list of resources have been shared with the Commission this month. Please note these resources are provided as a service to our readers and do not imply endorsement.

The National Workplace Initiative has entered an exciting phase with work underway on our digital platform for mentally healthy workplaces, informed by our earlier user-centred design process. We are also busy developing information and resources for the platform.

Some of the other highlights you can expect from us in coming months include:

• Release of the updated Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces, based on your feedback.
• Release of new Measurement and Reporting Guides for Mentally Healthy Workplaces.
• Creating new ‘deep dive’ resources on emerging issues affecting workplaces such as hybrid work and supporting workers at career transition points.
• Testing and refining our digital platform for mentally healthy workplaces.

Feel free to share our newsletter with your contacts or networks who may be interested in learning more about Australia's national approach to mentally healthy workplaces.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on our draft Theory of Change and Evaluation models.  

We recognise that evaluating initiatives to support mentally healthy workplaces can be complex.

Our models may provide a framework for designing and evaluating a range of other initiatives to support mentally healthy workplaces.

Our engagement survey has now closed but any further comments can be sent directly to the team as we compile your feedback.

We look forward to share a summary of your feedback in the coming months.

New research, resources and other initiatives in mentally healthy work that have come across our desk.

Webinar to help managers: Stress, fatigue, and lack of motivation are common feelings experienced across workplaces, affecting work performance and overall wellbeing. Black Dog Institute’s free webinar Staying well at work in trying times on 2 March will share practical strategies to apply at an organisational and team level to help staff feel connected and get the support needed.

Leaders and workplace mental health: Organisational leaders must move away from yoga and fruit bowls and focus on job design to genuinely support workplace mental health, National Mental Health Commission Chair Lucy Brogden tells UNSW Business School’s Frederik Anseel in a new interview. The interview covers practical ways organisations need to offer mental health support to employees both now and beyond COVID. Read more here.

Spotlight on agriculture: Fiona Simson, President of the National Farmers’ Federation has featured recently as NSW’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Ambassador. In a video Fiona shares her thoughts and advice around mental health within the agriculture sector in NSW.

Accessing latest updates: Those working in the Comcare jurisdiction can stay updated on current issues and strategies around workplace mental health by subscribing to Comcare’s Mental Health Community Practice, a bi-annual event. There is also access to recordings from previous events.

Talking mental health at work: A new app designed by NSW’s State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) and Sydney University provides support for those considering telling someone at work about their mental health concerns. The READY app uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques and real-life experience of workplace recovery to help individuals decide whether they should disclose their mental health concerns to someone. Read more here.

New guide on hazards: The Mind Your Head campaign has published a detailed guide for managing mental health hazards at work for Health and Safety Representatives. The guide covers a range of issues for HSRs, including rights and responsibilities for workers and HSRs, how to identify common mental health hazards in the workplace, and what to do if a mental health injury occurs.

Industry-led initiatives: Readers are reminded they can still access the NWI’s series on industry initiatives supporting mentally healthy workplaces. The series showcases current industry-level approaches and provides a practical guide for setting up industry-led initiatives.

Many of our readers have requested access to the latest research, reports and information from the sector. The above list of resources have been shared with the Commission this month. Please note these resources are provided as a service to our readers and do not imply endorsement.