If you’re struggling, it’s important to know, you’re not alone. Research conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that nearly half (42.9%) of the Australian population aged between 16 – 85 have experienced mental health concerns at some point in their life[i]. Mental health concerns are also significantly impacting the health and wellbeing of young Australians, with 38.8% of people aged between 16 -24 experiencing a mental health concern in the past 12 months.
When comparing these figures to previous studies, sadly the statistics are rapidly increasing which is a serious concern. At present there are many challenges that the average Australian is facing including the current state of the economy, the housing crisis which is forcing the cost of secure accommodation sky high in many areas and the cost-of-living crisis in general. For nearly two in five young Australians already facing these challenges in our community, these obstacles are overlayed with mental health concerns each and every day. The flow on effect for people experiencing mental health issues is the challenge of additional barriers to employment. This in turn makes it even more difficult to obtain the basic human needs of food and shelter.
For the vulnerable people who are experiencing mental health concerns, these factors are adding further stress to their health and wellbeing. Leading employment services provider, atWork Australia specialise in supporting people experiencing mental health concerns and understand that the financial pressures that go hand in hand with unemployment are exacerbating mental health concerns. atWork Australia provide opportunities for their clients to develop their financial literacy through programs such as Money Minded. This program aims to educate and develop an individual’s knowledge and confidence to make more informed decisions when managing personal finances. These are basic yet vital skills required to navigate the current financial pressures in society. atWork Australia client, Stephen*, said, “The program was packed with information I needed to manage my finances more effectively. I have learnt so much about money management and financial planning.” Providing the opportunity for individuals to learn fundamental financial skills helps to alleviate some of the stressors when tackling mental health issues simultaneously.
A key aspect of supporting vulnerable Australians is educating employers on how they can best support people experiencing mental health concerns. Every year, the month of October marks Mental Health Month, which sees organisations of all varying sizes come together with the broader community to create awareness of mental health challenges faced by many. This year’s theme is “Let’s talk about it.” The goal of the broad theme is to allow people to connect with the idea in a way that resonates with them encouraging individuals to be creative in how they talk about mental health.
This October, atWork Australia aims to start a broad array of conversations, educate and provide practical advice to help Australian businesses build their tool kits and confidence to talk about mental health. There are many ways to optimise your mental health including tapping into programs, diet, meditation and movement to name but a few. In line with this, atWork Australia are hosting two informative and free webinars for employers focusing on, “Move more for your mental health.” If you are interested in joining this, please register for the session on the 22nd October or 24th October.
Throughout the sessions, atWork Australia’s Principal Health and Wellness Advisor, Galit, will discuss how movement impacts health and wellbeing, what happens in your brain and body when you exercise, how to incorporate movement into your workday and how movement impacts productivity. “Movement plays an important role in mental health and wellbeing. Research has shown time and time again, that physical exercise is at least as effective as medication for treatment of common mental health complaints such as Depression and Anxiety. Not only does movement reduce negative mental health symptoms, it also acts to prevent the onset of mental illnesses. Nowadays, exercise programs form an integral part of mental health intervention plans, as access to a wide range of free movement activities makes for a low-cost and flexible treatment.”
The purpose of this piece is not to motivate you to join the gym or to become an exercise fanatic, but rather a gentle encouragement to not shy away from talking about mental health in whatever capacity that may be. We never know what challenges people are facing behind closed doors, a simple conversation can help destigmatise and normalise mental health, having an ever-lasting impact on the vulnerable people experiencing these conditions.
This October, and every month, it is important to remember the invisible challenges many Australians are combatting within the community and the workplace. Be empathetic and understanding because anyone at any point throughout their lives could be impacted by this debilitating illness. So, if you want to join the conversation, you register for atWork Australia’s free mental health month webinars.
atWork Australia are dedicated to supporting people from diverse backgrounds to secure meaningful employment and supporting individuals to thrive in the workplace. Giving every Australian the opportunity to achieve their employment goals and aspirations is a key focus of what we do each and everyday.
[i] https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health
