Mental Health and Wellbeing is a hot topic for businesses across the globe. No one is immune from mental health issues. Mental illness is more prevalent than many people realise. Around 45% of Australians aged between 16 and 85 will experience a mental illness at some point in their life, while one in five Australian adults will experience a mental illness in any given year.
Mental wellbeing is one of Australia’s most burning issues with work-related stress causing a staggering 92% of all work-related mental disorder claims, according to Safe Work Australia. It’s no surprise that prestigious auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers found that the associated productivity losses result in 12 million days of reduced productivity yearly, costing Australian employers a whopping $6 billion per annum.
With mental illness being an unavoidable fact, it makes good business sense that managers are abreast of the best ways to respond and support when an employee becomes mentally ill.
The upcoming Workplace Health & Safety Show (22-23 May) at Sydney’s International Convention Centre is making mental health and wellbeing a key pillar of the two day safety exhibition. As well as a free trade show featuring over 100 brands, Workplace Health and Safety Show will present 14 thought-provoking talks and three interactive forums, led by the industries finest will shed light on a range of issues, with a focus on workplace mental health.
One event that will be of particular interest to managers is When An Employee Becomes Mentally Ill: A Manager’s Guide. Taking place as a part of the event’s FREE Interactive Forum, the discussion will put Ian Firth, State Inspector, Psychosocial at SafeWork NSW, A/Prof Sam Harvey, Consultant Psychiatrist at Black Dog Institute and Mark Pittman, General Manager Workers Compensation Government Services for Allianz Australia centre stage to discuss how to deal with the often very delicate issues surrounding mental health in the workplace.
“Our Interactive Forum is a unique opportunity for businesses to get up close and personal with some of the leading mind in the OH&S industry” said International Exhibition and Conference Group CEO, Marie Kinsella. “These forums are designed to be fully interactive, giving the attendees the freedom to learn, discuss and collaborate about relevant and sometimes taboo issues in the workplace.”
An exciting addition to the safety industry event landscape, the Workplace Health & Safety Show is the official exhibition of the #SAFETYSCAPE Convention, a week-long program of events, workshops, forums, seminars and conferences. The Workplace Health & Safety Show is a must attend event for all safety professionals from a range of industries including manufacturing, building/construction, mining, councils/locals government, hospitals, transport and more.
Head to www.whsshow.com.au to book your spot now