On Sunday 10 October it was World Mental Health Day and the message is “Look after your mental health, Australia.”
It’s a simple call to action for the one in five Australians affected by mental illness and everyone who experiences life’s ups and downs.
Wellbeing is in crisis for too many of our organisations. People do not leave their personal life and stressors at home when they come to work and vice versa. Investing in our people in the workplace is not only the decent thing to do it also enhances productivity for staff and therefore the “bottom line”. The more in control an individual feels and the more positive, the more energised they are.
Some information to consider:
· At any one given time, 20% of workers will be experiencing mental health issues
· Almost half of workers who are experiencing a mental health condition still face stigma in the workplace
· A quarter of us are experiencing high levels of stress and it is recognised that chronic stress is a risk factor for anxiety and depression. Poor leadership, low wage growth and 24/7 connectivity are key drivers.
· 5 of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide are mental health related.
· Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 - 44
This week the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the annual Causes of Death data reporting that in 2020 there were 3,139 deaths by suicide compared with 3,318 in 2019.
It is important we acknowledge each life tragically lost and the devastating impact on those left behind.
It is encouraging that the number of deaths by suicide has decreased however we need to acknowledge that suicide prevention efforts must continue at scale to keep tackling this complex and sensitive challenge.
Recent research found 80% of those who recently spoke to someone about something that’s troubling them feel more supported and cared about, and 72% say it helped them feel better about themselves and their situation.
This demonstrates we all have a role to play and, as individuals, we can make a difference when someone close to us is struggling.
In an organisation an ROI of $2.30 for every $1 invested in wellbeing initiatives has been calculated by PwC
So how could you start a conversation today, either inside or outside of work to embed wellness and healthy behaviours into how we do business – this starts with all of us and in particular our leaders.
Whether someone is dealing with life’s ups and downs, living with mental illness and/or impacted by suicide, you can show them they are heard, valued and cared about through the act of reaching out and asking, ‘Are you OK?’. Offer your genuine support and, if they need it, connect them with a trusted health professional or support service.
Small acts of self-care, mindfulness, and random acts of kindness have been shown to be very effective ways of improving mental wellbeing.
Mental Health Australia have some great downloadable and printable October calendars tailored with some great daily tips for different audiences, including the general public, young adults, families, older Australians, and workplaces. Check them out here.
Want to enhance your personal mental health, explore wellbeing initiatives for your organisation or develop the skills of your leadership to manage wellbeing conversations? Send me an email at michelle@bakjacconsulting.com to enquire about coaching and training to develop your strategies.
Michelle Bakjac is an experienced Psychologist, Organisational Consultant, Coach, Speaker and Facilitator. As Director of Bakjac Consulting, she is a credentialed Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a member of Mental Toughness Partners and an MTQ48 accredited Mental Toughness practitioner. Michelle assists individuals and organisations to develop their Mental Toughness to improve performance, leadership, behaviour and wellbeing. You can find her at www.bakjacconsulting.com or michelle@bakjacconsulting.com
