Mental Health Policy

Who can use this policy?

This policy can be used by all employers.

Commentary

Mental illness affects millions of employees in Australia. It is often difficult for managers and employees to understand and manage mental illness in the workplace.
 
This policy is designed to help parties deal with mental health issues by:

• explaining the importance of positive mental health;

• setting out steps for  improving and maintaining positive mental health;

• defining mental illness and providing examples of common symptoms;

• encouraging employees to seek professional help in circumstances where they might be experiencing mental illness; and

• providing contact details for organisations that provide counselling and support for people suffering from mental illness.

The policy aims to encourage employees to report mental health issues to the employer. This means that an organisation that wishes to adopt the policy will need to ensure that it has appropriate processes in place for receiving and managing reports about mental health issues. The policy has been drafted to avoid imposing specific obligations on the employer in this regard.