For R U OK? Day, a national day to inspire people to meaningfully connect and support those struggling with mental health challenges, HRM shares tips for nurturing a psychosocially safe workplace.

Whether directly or indirectly, mental health is an issue that affects us all. 

It’s estimated that over two in five Australians aged 16-85, or 8.6 million people, experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life, with one in five (or 4.2 million) having experienced a mental disorder in the last 12 months. Mental ill-health costs the Australian economy tens of billions every year.

Each year, R U OK? Day reminds us that a conversation can change a life, and every day is the right day to check in on your peers, colleagues and loved ones who might be struggling with their mental health. 

With the introduction of a new Code of Practice to manage psychosocial risks at work earlier this year, it’s all the more crucial that mental health ranks highly on leaders’ priority lists. High levels of psychosocial safety at work make it easier for employees to speak up and ask for help when they need it, and to check in on others who don’t seem themselves.

If you’re looking for ways to boost the psychosocial safety of your workplace, use the infographic below to guide you through common hazards, management strategies and tips to assess your people’s safety.

How to design a psychologically safe workplace

Download the infographic here.

Improve your ability to recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and learn effective strategies to manage health and wellness in the workplace with AHRI’s short course.