Mental Health in the Workplace Matters

By admin | 17/02/2025

Mental Health and Workplace Issues

Workplace mental health has become a significant area of focus in Australian counselling. With increasing awareness of the impact of mental health on productivity and employee well-being, organisations are turning to counsellors to provide targeted support and interventions. This trend has led to the expansion of workplace-focused services, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), stress management workshops, and resilience training. It is also becoming the norm to use the workplace EAP service, due to the cost of seeing a mental health professional.

HR or People and Culture are now no longer the experts they used to be for disputes in the workplace. Once upon a time we went to HR & they sorted it out. Now that we recognise bullying, coercive control and gaslighting as not only domestic violence, but it is also now seen as not appropriate in the workplace.

Counsellors play a crucial role in addressing workplace stressors and promoting a culture of mental health awareness. They work with both employees and employers to identify challenges, develop coping strategies, and implement preventive measures. Industries prone to high stress, such as healthcare, education, and emergency services, are particularly benefiting from these initiatives.

In addition to traditional counselling services, workplace mental health programs often include training for managers and supervisors. This helps to recognise and address mental health concerns among their teams. This holistic approach ensures that mental health support is integrated into organisational culture. It also helps to foster a healthier and more productive work environment.

As the stigma around mental health continues to diminish, the demand for workplace-focused counselling services is expected to grow. By addressing these issues, counsellors are helping to create environments where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.