Mental illness is a prevalent issue not only in Australia but worldwide. Reports state that a whopping 1 in 5 people in Australia struggle with mental illness each year. Additionally, 45% of Australians will encounter mental health issues at some point in their lives.
Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of their age, gender, profession and personal circumstances. However, people associated with certain occupations or industries are unfortunately more vulnerable to facing mental health challenges. Due to their compromised mental health, they face serious consequences on their well-being and productivity at work.
This reduced efficiency can also cause accidents or errors that can jeopardise the safety and finances of their workplace. Let’s take a closer look.
High-Risk Australian Professions
Work stress is real. A report shared by Monash University indicates that a large number of employees are at an increased risk of committing suicide because of the nature of their work. The report has also pointed out some of the high-risk professions in Australia and the prevalence of mental health issues among people working in these sectors.
Construction
According to Mates in Construction, 190 Australians working in the construction sector commit suicide every year and the risk of construction workers dying of suicide is eight times more than dying from an accident.
Reports also reveal the shocking truth that the risk of lower-skilled Australian construction workers taking their own lives is almost double that of any other profession. This is because workers serving lower-skilled roles often have to perform physically demanding jobs, work long shifts and meet tight deadlines. They also face the challenges of job insecurity and transient work environments, which add to the physical and mental stress that they deal with on a day-to-day basis.
Healthcare
Healthcare workers also endure constant physical and mental stress due to the nature of their work. A survey conducted in 2022 by Mental Health Australia to investigate the mental health challenges faced by healthcare workers revealed that 93% of the respondents reported feeling fatigued and burnt out, 75% felt anxious, overwhelmed or fearful and 68% reported struggling with sleep problems and socialising.
This is because the high-stress environment, long shifts, constant exposure to traumatic events and the emotional exhaustion of caregiving can be mentally and physically taxing, making healthcare workers more susceptible to anxiety, depression and burnout.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing sector workers often have to work on monotonous tasks for longer hours. They do not receive as much praise and appreciation for their work as many other professions.
Factory workers, machine operators, assemblers, technicians, and forklift operators; all these roles involve hands-on tasks, sometimes under hazardous conditions, exposing them to physical danger. The repetitive nature of work and exposure to danger can have a significant impact on their mental health.
Transportation
According to Safe Work Australia, 2021, nearly 22% of truck drivers face mental health issues. Drivers working in the transportation industry report that they feel isolated, away from their homes for days in a row, making their profession particularly challenging for mental health. Poor access to healthcare while on the road and a high probability of accidents adds to these problems.
In addition to the above-mentioned professions, farmers, veterinarians and first responders including paramedics and firefighters are also among the most vulnerable occupations when it comes to mental health.
Barriers to Seeking Help
Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests that only 35% of Australians with depression and anxiety receive treatment. These statistics reveal that a large number of the population dealing with mental health challenges continues to suffer in silence. But what prevents people from seeking help? We’ll take a look at that.
Denial
The number one factor that stops people from seeking mental health support and treatment is denial. They do not understand and sometimes accept that they are suffering. This prevents them from reaching out for help.
Stigma and Shame
In many cultures and communities, mental health is still a taboo. It is not seen and treated as other physical illnesses. People view it as a sign of weakness especially at workplaces. Therefore, the fear of being judged and considered as ‘mentally unstable’ discourages people from getting the treatment. They are also concerned about losing their jobs or facing difficulty in finding new jobs.
Lack of Awareness
Lack of information about the symptoms and the treatment options available keeps people from getting the necessary mental health support. Many people attribute their symptoms to temporary feelings that will pass and do not reach out for help. In contrast, others keep suffering in silence due to the lack of information about the resources and support that are available.
Financial Limitations
Financial constraints often make it difficult for people to afford mental health treatment despite their awareness of their condition.
Time Constraints
As we discussed above, people in high-risk professions are often required to work long hours. Some are away from their homes for days and weeks, such as truck drivers and construction workers. Their busy schedules leave them with little to no time for treatment, further worsening their condition.
Untreated mental health issues do not just impact emotional well-being but can have far-reaching implications on a person’s whole life. It can also negatively affect work efficiency, relationships, dealings and physical health.
According to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, those who keep living with a mental illness have a greater risk of:
- Facing physical health challenges
- Being in prison
- Being unemployed
- Being homeless
Timely diagnosis and early treatment can prevent these negative outcomes and ensure people working in high-risk Australian professions remain safe and do not become the cause of costly or dangerous errors.
Workers’ Rights and Mental Health
The Australian government has taken several measures to ensure workers’ safety and well-being while at work. This makes it essential for the workers to be aware of their rights and the responsibilities that their employers have towards them.
- Work Health and Safety - WHS has outlined clear laws around workplaces to be physically and mentally safe for all.
- Discrimination - Laws around disability discrimination make it unlawful to discriminate against workers due to their mental health. This also involves making acceptable adjustments to support a worker’s needs.
- The Fair Work Act - It prohibits employers from treating workers unfairly based on discriminatory motives.
- Privacy - Australian privacy law makes it mandatory for employers to keep the employees’ personal information private, except for certain circumstances where sharing this information becomes necessary. This also includes information about their mental health.
These laws by the Australian government help promote acceptance of mental health challenges and seeking support without fearing discrimination. However, there is still room to work around training and equipping employers and managers, so they are better prepared to support employees who have dealt with or are dealing with mental illnesses.
Current Initiatives and Resources
The National Workplace Initiative offers easily accessible resources to help establish a mentally healthy work environment. There is also a mental illness guide designed by the Australian Human Rights Commission that provides managers with practical insights on how to support their workers during a mental illness.
It is important to note that mental health-related claims account for only 6% of serious workplace compensation claims. Yet, they are more often denied as compared to claims of physical injuries. This makes it challenging for workers to receive the necessary support. Therefore, improvements are needed in this area to provide better support for workers returning to work after experiencing mental health issues.
Workers and employees are the lifeblood of any business. Their prosperity and well-being directly impact their workplace. When employers create a culture where workers can be open about their mental health struggles and reach out for assistance when needed, it can lead to a more supportive and thriving workplace.
