The relationship between work and mental health

Many working Australians spend a large proportion of their waking hours at work. They may spend more time with their co-workers than they do with family and friends. The workplace, work environment and work tasks can have a big influence on an individual's mental health. This influence can be both positive and negative.

Work can be positive for mental health

Work can contribute to mental health in a range of ways, including: 

• providing an income and financial security
• helping people maintain a positive identity and feelings of self-worth and skill
• creating and sustaining personal and professional relationships
• providing structure and purpose to daily life
• providing a sense of stability
• allowing people to contribute to a larger goal or the public good.

A supportive work environment and close connections to people at work can also provide a protective buffer against stressful events outside work as well.

Good work supports mental health, by giving people purpose, structure, financial security and connection. 

Work can negatively impact mental health   

There are many work-related factors that can negatively impact someone’s mental health, including:

• lack of support from co-workers and managers
• poor organisational support
• poor team relationships
• an unsafe work environment
• lack of job security due to changes including restructure or downsizing
• not having appropriate resources
• limited access to training opportunities
• lack of feedback and encouragement 
• lack of job satisfaction
• conflict between different role requirements within a job.

As outlined in the Identify and manage mental health risk module, employers have legal requirements to take reasonably practicable steps to identify and manage potential psychosocial hazards.

Some aspects of work can negatively affect our mental health. All workplaces must manage any aspect of work that can risk our mental health. 

The impact of mental ill-health at work

Research undertaken on behalf of the Australian Productivity Commission determined that mental ill-health at work costs the Australian economy over $12 billion each year through costs associated with absenteeism, presenteeism and compensation claims.

Mental ill-health can be due to mental illness, trauma or other life experiences including relationship distress, or financial strain. Given almost 1 in 2 Australians are likely to experience a mental illness in their lifetime, workplaces should be equipped to support people experiencing mental ill-health regardless of the cause.

The 3 pillars of a mentally healthy workplace outline actions to PROTECT, RESPOND to and PROMOTE mental health and wellbeing.

As you will see in the Blueprint for Mentally Healthy Workplaces and across this platform, workplaces can support mental health and wellbeing through creating a mentally healthy workplace. This includes acting across the 3 pillars of mentally healthy workplaces through actions such as:

• providing an appropriate balance between effort and reward when assigning work tasks
• matching people’s tasks and skills where possible
• ensuring people understand the requirements of their job
• allowing people to shape their work hours and locations where possible
• providing opportunities for professional and personal growth
• maintaining safety processes that support both physical and psychological health and safety
• creating and promoting workplace health promotion initiatives backed by research
• providing training for leaders and managers that includes creating a positive psychological work culture and psychological safety
• providing supports such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and formal return-to-work programs
• addressing interpersonal conflicts early
• consulting with workers and listening to what works best for them
• creating inclusive environments where people feel valued and supported.