Guiding the way: responding to mental injury at work
1. Recognise the signs
- Understand mental health. Know the signs of poor mental health at work.
- Spot the signs. Notice changes in performance, attendance, mood or social interactions.
- Need urgent help? If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, call Lifeline any time on 13 11 14. If life is in immediate danger call 000.
- Access resources:
2. Take early action
- Initiate contact and support. Reach out early. Offering support helps your worker feel less isolated and also makes good business sense.
- Have a conversation. Don’t stay silent. Ask if they’re okay and listen without judgement. Try simple phrases like I’m sorry you’re going through this. | How can I help? | Thanks for trusting me with this.
- Access resources:
3. Get support
- Partner with your insurer.
- Access services. Don't go it alone. Tap into free, independent services and assistance.
- For employers:
- For workers:
4. Plan their return
- Work together. Plan your worker’s return together, finding solutions that work for all.
- When a worker considers their employer’s response to their injury to be fair and constructive, their return to work rate is between 43 to 52 per cent higher.
- Commit to action. Identify and control psychosocial hazards to ensure a co-ordinated and safe return. Talk with your worker and your insurer to start this process.
- Access resources:
5. Boost workplace wellbeing
- Good work boosts mental health. Every $1 invested in mentally healthy workplaces returns up to $2.30 in reduced absenteeism and compensation.
- Promote and model self-care and balance. Workplaces where leaders model positive behaviours help others to look after themselves.
- Safeguard your workplace. Assess work for psychosocial hazards. Update workplace systems to improve mental health support and commit to employee wellbeing.
- Access resources: