With an increased focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, WorkCover Tasmania is
urging Tasmanian organisations to understand the important role they can play in promoting
positive mental health.
As part of this, WorkCover is hosting a free breakfast session focussing on mental health and
wellbeing in the workplace and the role it plays in productivity, relationships and contributions both
in and out of work.
WorkCover Health and Wellbeing Advisor Cameron Blight said that in 2011, mental disease injuries
in Tasmanian workplaces represented 5 per cent of all injuries recorded in Tasmania. Of these,
anxiety and stress disorders made up 94 per cent of mental diseases.
“Workplaces can play a vital role in promoting positive mental health by providing a supportive
environment that can help deal with stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, financial strain and
aggression,” Mr Blight said.
“During the breakfast session attendees will hear from a range of speakers, looking at happiness in
the workplace, creating a workplace culture that supports and promotes wellbeing and providing
tools to assist people to take responsibility for their own mental health.
“From an employer’s perspective, good workplace mental health and wellbeing leads to greater job
satisfaction, less absenteeism, reduced staff turnover, reduced workplace injuries, higher individual
productivity and ultimately higher profits.”
Dr Fiona Cocker, Menzies Research Institute Tasmania
