Are you looking after your mental health and wellbeing in the workplace?

One in two of us will experience mental ill-health in our lifetime, while one in five will experience it in any given year, according to a new productivity commission draft report released last week.

What’s more the inquiry revealed that at least 3 million working Australians either have a mental health issue or are carers of someone who does.

The report also found the cost of workplace absenteeism and presenteeism due to mental health issues on the economy ranges from $13 billion per year up to $17 billion per year.

Corporate Australia needs to step-up and take an active role in the health and wellbeing of employees.

Former AFL star and CEO of PukaUp Wayne Schwass believes employers need to be investing in the mental health of their people.

“Our greatest asset, our most valuable resource are not the buildings that we own or the products that we might sell – they’re our people.”

“I think when you can create a safe environment, it just gives that person, permission to talk to you about whatever it is that they are concerned about and without trying to fix it, my role then becomes, how am I going to support you and help you get the appropriate professional help you need.”

Wayne was a special guest at a Medibank event in Sydney last week, where I hosted a panel discussion on mental health in the workplace.

Wayne’s tips for looking after your mental health:

1. Eat a healthy and balanced diet
2. Exercise regularly
3. Speak to your support network regularly

Medibank has been hosting a series of corporate events, looking at the role businesses have in the mental health and wellbeing of their workforces.

At Medibank, we have a strong history of supporting better mental health for all our customers with the launch of the Mental Health Phone Support service and the introduction of the mental health waiver as part of the Australian Government reforms to private health insurance.