7/10/2008 Fed:
Content provided to you by AAP.CANBERRA, Oct 7 AAP
Injured Workers Resource Centre.
Most Australian bosses ignore their workers' mental health,
a new survey shows.
The nationwide survey of 1,000 workers found 70 per cent of respondents'
workplaces do not offer programs to support employees' mental and
emotional wellbeing. Half of respondents said they often felt stressed and
one quarter often felt depressed. The online survey was conducted late
last month by Sweeney Research for the SuperFriend Industry Funds
Forum Mental Health Foundation. The foundation is comprised of
superannuation funds, life insurers and mental health organisations
including beyondblue and Lifeline. The chair of the foundation's mental
health reference group, John Mendoza, said employers should recognise
the importance of looking after employees' mental health.
"There is increasing evidence of a link between stress in the workplace
and mental illness," he said. "The cost of workplace stress to Australian
business is potentially crippling. "I would call on all Australian employers
to learn more about what they can do to support their staff and encourage
them to seek help when they need it."
The survey also found half of respondents thought drinking alcohol was a
good way to maintain or improve their mental health, while four in five
believed watching television positively impacted on mental health.
Three-quarters of respondents participated in activities to improve
their physical health and half engaged in tasks to improve mental health.
The most unhappy age group was 40 to 49-year-olds, with people in
that age bracket most likely to feel stressed and depressed and the least
likely to look after their physical and mental health.
07 October 2008 Content provided to you by AAP.
By Tamara McLean, Medical Writer
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