A focus on mental health at work is well worth
it...and then some...
“When I first started in the role, depression was barely spoken about, so to disclose my
condition was a risk… schizophrenia freaks people out.”— Cameron
Yes, schizophrenia (www.jobaccess.gov.au/workplace-adjustment/disability/schizophrenia)
unfortunately still does ‘freak’ many people out. Though the stigma around mental illness is
far less than it used to be, having an employee or workmate with a mental health condition
can still be very concerning in many workplaces.
Cameron managed his condition through learned strategies. “I would just walk away for a
few minutes and recompose myself,” he says.
A supportive, pragmatic and professional manager also certainly helped. “The better the HR
in the firm the happier the worker, it’s as simple as that,” says Cameron. “And the happier
the worker, the more productive the workplace”.
Cameron remained a valued employee in a high-pressure corporate setting for ten years,
managing his schizophrenia along the way.
“I will happily answer any question and talk about my illness, but I won’t let it define me”,
he says.
With World Mental Health Day celebrated on 10 October this year and the huge focus given
to the issue by the ABC through its ‘Mental As’ initiative, this month’s newsletter is
dedicated to mentally healthy workplaces – facts, figures, tools and resources – all designed
to help you with information at your fingertips.
And don’t forget if you ever need to talk through how to manage mental health issues in the
workplace, you can talk with your NDRC Account Manager or simply pick up the phone and
call JobAccess on 1800 464 800 to speak with a qualified professional.
Enjoy the read.
Lucy Macali, General Manager, NDRC
Mental health and the workplace: the return on your
investment
Would you give a dollar to get $2.30 back?
A PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) study has shown that every $1 invested in workplace
mental health returns $2.30 to the workplace.
The study, titled Creating a mentally healthy workplace: return on investment analysis
(www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwjZ3ery
wO7KAhXCk5QKHWitBkYQFgggMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.headsup.org.au%2Fdocs%
2Fdefault-source%2Fresources%2Fbl1269-brochure---pwc-roianalysis.pdf%3Fsfvrsn%3D6&usg=AFQjCNFYR81ETWypQ9TuYBhOJKcqVl_fFg&sig2=GHfrrcs
m1arNcK9ETvAiUA&bvm=bv.113943164,d.dGo), averages out the bottom-line impact of
seven common workplace mental health initiatives.
The cost of not addressing mental health in the workplace, says the study, is $10.9 billion
across all industries, lost through absenteeism, presenteeism and compensation claims.
The study conservatively values the return on investment in mental health in the workplace
at 2.3 ($2.30 return on $1 invested). It goes on to say that if an approach targeted
specifically towards a particular industry is adopted, the return is likely to be even higher.
The PwC study gives an overview of a strategic approach to start you on the road to
workplace mental health. There are six critical factors for success, says the study, the first
being a visible, long-term commitment to mental health in the workplace from senior staff
and management.
Heads Up’s, ‘Return in Investment Tool’ (www.headsup.org.au/creating-a-mentally-healthyworkplace/the-business-case/roi) can show you how much your business could save by
increasing mental wellness in the workplace.
Your investment more than doubled? It makes perfect business sense.
Useful resources on mental health in the workplace
Around 20% of people experience a mental issue in any year, and nearly half the population will
go through times of mental ill health at some point in their lives.
That means that there is a very good chance that there are employees in your own
organisation who are facing challenges with mental health right now. So make use of the
links above and below, and get your organisation on track to mental wellness.
Heads Up: gives top tips for small, medium and large businesses, along with advice on how
to develop an action plan to address mental health in your workplace.
www.headsup.org.au
Beyondblue: facts about mental illness, resources, support for anyone with mental health
issues, how to get help and how to connect with others.
www.beyondblue.org.au
SANE: general information about mental health, how to get help, roads to wellness and
providing support for families and carers.
www.sane.org
Visit SANE’s Mindful Employer website to hear a pod cast
(www.mindfulemployer.org/podcasts/153-episode-5-consumer-perspective-on-workplaceprograms) from someone who balances employment and his own mental health symptoms.
Tim works in superannuation and lives with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He shares his
views on how employers and HR professionals can improve workplace programs and mental
health literacy.
ABC ‘Mental As’: links to forums where you can chat with others, programs to make
donations, news stories, podcasts, and personal stories from people facing mental health
challenges, whether of their own or their loved ones.
www.abc.net.au/mentalas/
Tips from JobAccess - accessing the Employment
Assistance Fund to support mental health at work
The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) is a package that provides financial assistance to
people with a disability (including a mental health condition) to purchase services, workrelated equipment or modifications to assist them in finding or keeping a job. The key thing
to remember is that financial assistance from the EAF can also be used for specialist services
or training to aid a workplace become more mentally healthy, not just for ‘hardware’.
For further information and ideas that might be right for your workplace have a chat with a
with a JobAccess (www.jobaccess.gov.au) adviser call 1800 464 800
Getting to Yes in Adelaide
Join us to celebrate the 2015 International Day of People with Disability
INVITATIONS FOR OUR UPCOMING GETTING TO YES SEMINAR IN ADELAIDE ON WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER
2015 WERE SENT OUT EARLIER THIS MONTH.
Make sure you register your interest and share this opportunity with your South Australian
colleagues so they don’t miss out.
The event will be held at the Australian Wine Centre and hosted by MC Ali Clarke,
newspaper columnist, SkyNews panellist, radio host and ambassador for Minda.
If you would like an invitation or have a colleague who might be interested in attending
please mailto:gettingtoyes.ndrc@workfocus.com or register via the following the link:
Register here (www.eventbrite.com.au/e/getting-to-yes-seminar-for-employers-adelaidetickets-18815076400)
The NDRC will also be Getting to Yes in Hobart, Thursday 17 March 2016 so stay tuned! If
you would like an invitation or have a colleague who might be interested in attending please
mailto: gettingtoyes.ndrc@workfocus.com.
Disability awareness refresher workshop for NDRC
Alumni
As part of the NDRC’s ongoing commitment to supporting the disability employment efforts
of our alumni, we recently announced two disability awareness ‘refresher’ workshops that
will soon be held at our offices in Melbourne and Sydney.
Melbourne
Date: 9 December 2015
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Sydney
Date: 9 December 2015
Time: 9:30am-11:30pm
The NDRC’s alumni program offering includes:

Invitations to networking events, webinars and online discussion groups

Promotion as NDRC alumni in our communications

Consideration of your organisation for speaking opportunities and events we run
during the year

Invitation to an annual refresher of disability awareness training in your capital city
For more information or to register your interest mailto:jobs.ndrc@workfocus.com – this
will also ensure you are on our mailing list to receive invitations to future news and events.
Welcome new NDRC Partners
Working with the NDRC
WE WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYERS THAT RECENTLY JOINED AS PARTNERS OF
THE NDRC – WELCOME ABOARD!

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research

University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

L’Oréal
If you would like to join our growing list of partners and ensure you are accessing the
broader talent pool that people with disability represents,
mailto:gettingtoyes.ndrc@workfocus.com or call us on 1800 464 800.
Our partners
WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES' DISABILITY CONFIDENCE, THE NDRC TEAM FIRMLY
BELIEVES THE MORE THE MERRIER!

Frankston City Council

Virgin Australia

Vikings Group

Australian Crime Commission

Penrith City Council

TAL

City of Greater Bendigo

Lavan Legal

Prudential Investment Company of Australia (PICA)

Australian Red Cross

Medibank

Teachers Federation Health

MEGT (Australia) Ltd.

City of Stirling

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

City of Melbourne

Baptistcare

Adelaide Hills Council

Renewal SA

Department of Justice NSW

Maroondah City Council

Super Retail Group

Haigh's Chocolate

Ernst & Young

Department for Child Protection & Family Support –WA

Sydney Local Health District

Jacobs

Hays Recruitment

James Cook University

Lifestyle Solutions

State Library of Queensland

UHG

Cummins Inc.

Allianz Assistance

Department of Communities, Child Safety & Disability Services

Microsoft Australia

Queensland Rail

Spotless Group Ltd

KPMG

Maitland City Council

Ashfield Council

Canon Australia

Bank Australia (prev. Bankmecu)

Department of Health and Human Services Victoria

Tatts Group

Australian Red Cross Blood Service VIC

Federation University Australia

Foodco Group

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research

University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

L’Oréal
Our Alumni
THE NDRC WORKS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYING CANDIDATES WITH
DISABILITY ACROSS THE ORGANISATIONS WE PARTNER WITH, INCREASING THEIR OVERALL ‘FITNESS’ LEVEL
WHEN IT COMES TO DISABILITY AND EMPLOYMENT.

ANZ

Active Monash

Anglicare WA

Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM)

Australia Post

Australian Taxation Office

Ballarat YMCA

Bankstown City Council

City of Whittlesea

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Computershare

Crown Resorts

Deakin University

Delaware North

Department of Defence

EW Tipping Foundation

Holroyd City Council

Jewish Care

Knox City Council

Mercer Australia

Mercy Health

NDIA

Port Stephens Council

PricewaterhouseCoopers

SEEK Ltd.

SkyBus

St John of God Health Care

Stockland

Sutherland Shire Council

Telstra

Town of Port Hedland

VicHealth

Woollahra Municipal Council

Woolworths Ltd