Here are some reasons I believe companies should have a health and wellness program, if for no other reason than Mental Health.
On average each year between 2012–13 to 2016–17p:
6 per cent of all serious workers compensation claims were for work-related mental health conditions.
7,140 Australians were compensated for work-related mental health conditions.
92 per cent of serious work-related mental health condition claims were attributed to mental stress.
42 per cent of serious work-related mental health condition claims were made by males, 58 per cent by females.
The occupations most at risk of work-related mental health conditions were:
Defence force members, fire fighters and police – 9 per cent of serious mental health condition claims
School teachers – 8 per cent of serious mental health condition claims, and
Health and welfare support workers – 6 per cent of serious mental health condition claims.
The types of mental health conditions for which workers received compensation:
Reaction to stressors – 37 per cent
Anxiety / stress disorder – 31 per cent
Post-traumatic stress disorder – 12 per cent
Anxiety / depression combined – 11 per cent, and
Depression – 4 per cent.
The main causes of serious mental health condition claims were:
Work pressure – 21 per cent
Work related harassment or bullying – 20 per cent, and
Exposure to workplace or occupational violence – 10 per cent.
Even if you are not working in the most at risk areas, your workplace could still be having staff suffering from mental health issues, and it does take a toll, not only on the individual(s), but also on your workplace.
