Top 10 factors influencing mental health in APS workplaces

Mental health is the leading cause of sickness and long-term work incapacity in the workplace. It takes a significant toll on employees and their families, and costs Australian businesses an estimated $11-12 billion every year.

So, what constitutes a mentally healthy workplace? Why is it important? And, how do we begin to adopt the cultures and systems to support employee mental health and wellbeing?

In a report sponsored by Comcare, a work-based project team from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) investigates this issue. The team identifies the top 10 factors that are key to creating mentally healthy workplaces in the Australian Public Service:

1. Workplace culture
2. Organisational commitment
3. Job design
4. Interpersonal relationships
5. Management training
6. Leadership—commitment and style
7. Workers’ recovery from mental illness supported
8. Prevention interventions
9. Facilitation of personal resilience
10. Workplace response to external factors, such as family life and work/life conflicts.

The report provides guidance to inform better practice for business areas, human resources and organisational change and culture units. Another valuable APS resource is Working Together: Promoting mental health and wellbeing at work.