Creating a mentally healthy workplace has many benefits for both employers and employees. From an organisational perspective, addressing mental health in the workplace can increase productivity and employee engagement. For the individual, it means a healthy, balanced life and psychological wellbeing.

Increasing knowledge and understanding of mental illness is the first step to reducing stigma and improving wellbeing in the workplace. Throughout this toolkit we have provided a range of information and resources to help you create a mentally healthier workplace.

It is the sad reality that each year 1 in 5 Australians will experience a mental illness, yet there is still a poor understanding and acceptance of mental illness. Due to this, it often goes undiagnosed and either untreated or poorly treated.

Mental illness can have an impact on a person’s cognitive, behavioural and social functioning. Those with a mental illness often struggle to engage in their regular work, social and physical activities to the full extent which further impacts the illness as social isolation then often occurs.

As a small business owner, you’ll know the highs and lows of running your own company. While it can be incredibly rewarding, both mentally and financially, stress and challenges are not withstanding.

As an employer, you can face a range of unique challenges that can affect your mental health and the mental health of your staff. Small businesses are often family-like in nature, especially in smaller working environments such as retail and salons, so it’s only natural to become close with staff. That in turn can see you in a position to recognise when someone isn’t being themselves.

When discussing mental health it is often taken to refer only to mental health disorders. But mental health refers to how well a person is in their thinking, managing their emotion, relating to others, and generally meeting the demands of everyday life and employment. In other words, it is a continuum, with one end marked by mental health disorders, progressing to functioning without mental health symptoms, and then through to a state of well-being – where an individual is thriving. At the well-being end of the continuum, they are engaged successfully in their personal life and work, have rich social interactions, experience a sense of enjoyment and contribute to their community.

Self-care is an important part of daily life, however during times of uncertainty and this unprecedented situation with COVID-19 the need for self-care is imperative. Self-care is often the first thing that gets sacrificed when life is busy and stressful, and people often think that taking time for themselves seems indulgent.

But looking after your own well-being will help you get through this challenging time, and will help you to better care for others. Amidst the confusion and constant stream of information due to COVID-19, a self-care plan can help you focus, make decisions and stay healthy.