Improve Mental Health to Boost your Business Productivity

No longer an option – now a necessary requirement

In today’s business environment, if you employ staff, you are now required as part of Occupational Health and Safety, to have a Mental Health program that supports your staff’s wellbeing.

• The new guidelines recently came into effect due to recent statistics that surfaced in early 2023 that indicated the alarming rise in mental health issues in the community.

The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing conducted a study over 2020-2022 and published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics presented the following key statistics:

• 42.9% of people aged 16–85 years had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life – that is almost 50% of the population.
• 21.5% of people had a 12-month mental disorder, with Anxiety being the most common group (17.2% of people aged 16–85 years)
• 38.8% of people aged 16–24 years had a 12-month mental disorder

Mental health is a key component of overall health and well-being. A mental disorder is characterised by a ‘clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behaviour’.

• The term itself covers a range of disorders including Anxiety, Affective and Substance Use disorders.

• A person may be negatively affected by symptoms of mental health concerns without necessarily meeting the criteria for a mental disorder.
• Mental health effects, as well as is affected by multiple socioeconomic factors, including a person’s access to services, living conditions and employment status.
• An unstable economic environment or relationship issues impact not only the individual but also their families and work environment.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recognises people who have a lived experience of mental health concerns and that having­ ­– or not having ­– mental health concerns does not define a person.

• They acknowledge that people with mental health concerns with the right support can live purposeful and meaningful lives.

• However, the ever-growing Australian mental health statistics can cause distress, as they are substantially higher than in previous years.
• For this reason, businesses today are required to introduce protocols and programs in the workplace that can help support wellbeing, as well as minimise or mitigate stressors that can contribute to mental health issues.

The role of mental health in business productivity

• Running a business in today’s financially volatile environment requires that ‘all hands on board’ and operate competently and productively.
• Nurturing mental health in the workplace will therefore not only ensure a happy work environment but also a more productive and joyous one, in terms of staff performance.

Mental hygiene and Business Development program

• To support business owners in nurturing a workplace environment that also takes into consideration the wellbeing of their staff
• APAN developed the Mental Hygiene and Business Development program. 
• This 43-page document is an excellent resource that outlines activities that can help foster a happy and productive work environment.
• This document consists of 12 chapters with activities that will help business owners build a positive mindset and create joy and purpose in the workplace while encouraging collaboration and productivity.

Enroll in the Mental Hygiene and Business Development program.

Not a member? Here is a good reason to join. This kit is available to current APAN Members for free!

Non-members can purchase it at a fee of $400. This is now a required business tool. All members are encouraged to access it for their benefit and their team as an essential training tool.

You can also phone APAN to discuss your needs