this week in social inclusion & diversity
National Monday Update Issue:
Talking about mental health and wellbeing
On Monday 22 March, ACPET’s Executive-in-Residence, Donna McDonald, attended a Mental Health and Wellbeing workshop convened by the Australian Employers Network on Disability (http://www.emad.asn.au/ ) and hosted by the Brisbane City Council.
While the workshop was geared towards what to do in the workplace, it was also relevant for the training and education sector. (Some of the following information has been generously provided by AEND).
Mental health and wellbeing is the state in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.
A mental illness is a diagnosable disorder which causes major changes in a person’s thinking, emotional state, and/or behaviour, and disrupts the person’s ability to work and carry on their usual personal relationships.
Some statistics convey the potential scale of the responsibilities faced by employees and employers, students and educators in Australia:
• 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during lifetime
• 10% will be affected by an affected by an anxiety disorder at
• some point in their life
• 3% of Australians are affected by psychotic illness such as
• schizophrenia
• 7% will experience substance abuse disorders
(ABS 2007 National Survey of Mental Health & Well-being )
• Mental health problems rank as 3rd biggest health problem in Australia, after heart disease and cancer and illnesses such as depression are projected to be the biggest health burden by 2010
• Costs to the economy implicated in the $14.81 bn lost to “dis” stress and other scheduled leave costs (Medibank Private Australia)
The most important thing in the workplace and classroom/training site is responding effectively and appropriately to the needs of the person with a mental health disorder. In particular, keeping the lines of communication open is crucial, for the benefit of both the employer/employee and educator/student . . . and their respective colleagues.
Whenever it is necessary, possible and reasonable, an employer should take into account a person’s disability and make appropriate adjustments to the work environment to accommodate people with a disability. Such adjustments may include adjustments to:
• training and professional development opportunities
• providing training to co-workers and/or supervisors
• flexible working and learning arrangements.
It may also happen that an educator or trainer becomes aware that a student is showing symptoms of stress and wonders how to handle this. Again, talking early is crucial. This allows the educator to:
• Assess the risk of suicide or harm
• Listen non-judgmentally
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage the student to get appropriate professional help
• Encourage self-help strategies.
Some useful mental health and wellbeing resources include: