The research draws on the findings of DCA’s [email protected] Index 2021-2022 to explore the link between inclusion and mental health.
Mental Health
In any one year, around one million Australian adults have depression, and more than 2 million have anxiety.
Untreated mental health conditions cost Australian employers $10.9 billion every year through absenteeism, reduced productivity and compensation claims.1 Organisations can reduce these costs by being proactive in creating mentally healthy and safe workplaces and supporting employees in periods of mental health unwellness.
In this section, you will find information about the current state of play for mental health in the workplace, the business case for creating mentally healthy workplaces, some leading practices for mental health at work, and case studies of mentally healthy workplaces in action.
News
New research finds 4 in 10 Australian workers silent about mental health at work
Media releases
19 May 2022
Four out of every ten Australian workers who reported poor mental health in the past year didn’t talk about it at work, new research from Diversity Council Australia has found.
When leaders talk about their own mental health
News articles
18 Sep 2018
The latest episode of DCA's The Art of Inclusion podcast, ‘Talking Heads’, looks at the role leaders play in creating mentally healthy workplaces and the importance of admitting vulnerability.
Stop seeing mental health in the workplace through a lens of deficit and risk - DCA Oration with The Hon Julia Gillard
News articles
27 Jul 2018
The Hon Julia Gillard AC, delivering the DCA Anna McPhee Memorial Oration tells Australian businesses to see diversity and inclusion (D&I) through a different lens, with mental health as a key focus.
Perspectives
Why small-business owners should invest in mental health at work
Opinion pieces
22 Jun 2022
Running a small business can be as rewarding as it is challenging, but there is something else we must consider when business is going well or needs some problem solving, and that’s how well business owners are taking care of mental health.
Walk the talk: The blueprint Australian business leaders need to tackle our mental health crisis
Opinion pieces
19 May 2022
A new study by Diversity Council Australia shows mental health in Australian workplaces is a tale of two halves: senior executives are finding ways to cope with mental health challenges, while their fellow employees in entry level and non-managerial positions are finding it harder.
If you ask 'Are You OK?' Be prepared for the answer
Blog
08 Sep 2021
If employers ask Are You Ok, they must be equipped to deal with the answer.
Coming events
13 Oct 2022
Our recent Mapping the State of Inclusion and Mental Health report highlighted that a proactive organisational approach is required to help make work a force for good mental health. This means not only supporting employees with mental ill health but also nurturing the wellbeing of all employees.
Webcasts from past events
15 Sep 2022
DCA recently launched new findings on the role of workplace inclusion in ensuring that work has a positive impact on workers’ mental health and workplace mental health safety.
24 Nov 2021
Statistics show that women experience some mental health conditions at higher rates than men, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, PTSD and self-harm. In contrast, men are more likely to suicide. And trans and gender diverse people can experience very high levels of psychological distress and are significantly more likely to attempt suicide.