{"id":38185,"date":"2025-09-10T06:04:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-10T06:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nwpeople.com.au\/?p=38185"},"modified":"2025-09-25T23:24:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T23:24:42","slug":"mental-health-at-work-how-to-create-a-stigma-free-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nwpeople.com.au\/nw-people\/mental-health-at-work-how-to-create-a-stigma-free-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health at Work: How to Create a Stigma-Free Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"

Workplaces have come a long way in how they talk about wellbeing, but mental health at work is still too often surrounded by silence. Employees may avoid speaking up out of fear of being judged, overlooked or treated differently. The stigma lingers and it comes at both a human and business cost.<\/span><\/p>\n

The opportunity is clear: organisations that normalise mental health conversations and remove stigma build stronger, more engaged and more resilient workforces.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Sam Novak, <\/span>Head of People Experience<\/span><\/a>, at NW People puts it:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRespect and kindness might sound simple, but they\u2019re powerful. When workplaces embrace those values, they create environments where people feel safe to speak up.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Why mental health at work matters<\/b><\/h2>\n

The statistics are sobering. In 2022\u201323, psychological injuries made up <\/span>10.5% of all serious workers\u2019 compensation claims<\/span><\/a> in Australia. This was a 19% increase in just one year and nearly double compared to a decade ago, according to Safe Work Australia. These claims also take four times longer to resolve than physical injuries and cost three times as much in compensation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, <\/span>one in five Australian workers report high or very high psychological distress <\/span><\/a>directly linked to workplace factors such as excessive workloads, poor support or unclear roles, according to EML Group. Stigma compounds the problem. Ninety-four per cent of Australians with lived mental health experience say <\/span>stigma still persists<\/span><\/a>, while only 7% feel their workplace is always a safe environment to talk openly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam says uncertainty is one of the biggest challenges:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor people in casual or temporary roles, not knowing what\u2019s next can weigh heavily. We try to provide consistency where we can, whether it\u2019s clear communication about assignments or making sure there are alternative opportunities if one role ends.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How stigma shows up at work<\/b><\/h2>\n

Stigma is not always obvious. Sometimes it is overt: dismissive comments, unfair treatment or discrimination. More often, it is subtle: assumptions, silence or treating mental health leave as \u201cless valid\u201d than a physical sick day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sam has seen how important it is to handle sensitive conversations well:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not about someone being \u2018hard to manage\u2019. It\u2019s about recognising that everyone faces challenges. And when it comes to having conversations, timing and setting matter. It\u2019s about approaching someone privately, in the right space, so they feel safe to open up.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even well-intentioned workplaces can overlook how policies, behaviours or culture reinforce stigma. The result is that people keep quiet, avoid help and carry the burden alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The impact on employees and teams<\/b><\/h2>\n

When stigma exists, employees are less likely to access available support. This affects not just individuals but whole teams.<\/span><\/p>\n