October is a powerful month in Australia, marking both National Safe Work Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a reminder to all of us — whether we’re employers, recruiters, or employees — that workplace wellbeing is not just a nice-to-have. It’s essential.
Our jobs and workplaces have a huge impact on how we feel every day. And right now, psychological injuries are one of the fastest-growing workplace issues in the country.
The Rising Cost of Poor Mental Health at Work
Recent data shows that:
😳 Bullying and harassment make up 1/4-plus of serious mental health claims
🤬 Workplace violence and assault claims have increased by over 50% in just five years
🚨 Frontline workers in healthcare, retail, and emergency services are the most affected
These issues aren’t just about isolated incidents — they often come from ongoing problems like poor communication, unclear roles, lack of recognition, and unhealthy work environments.
It Starts With Culture
This year’s theme for National Safe Work Month is: “Safety: every job, every day.” And that includes mental and emotional safety, not just physical risks.
Creating a safe workplace means:
👂🏼 Listening to your people
🤗 Checking in regularly
🔥 Recognising the signs of burnout or stress
👀 Addressing problems early, not when it’s too late
Leaders, managers, and teams all have a role to play in shaping a culture where people feel respected, supported, and safe to speak up.
What Can We Do?
Whether you’re in HR, recruitment, or leadership — or just want to be a better colleague — here are a few simple actions to start with:
✅ Promote open conversations about mental health
✅ Encourage respectful and inclusive behaviour
✅ Design roles and workloads that are clear and achievable
✅ Offer support to anyone struggling — and take concerns seriously
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Creating mentally healthy workplaces doesn’t happen overnight — but it starts with awareness, followed by action.
This October, let’s all take a moment to reflect:
🤷🏻♀️ Are we doing enough to support our teams and colleagues?
🤝 Are we creating workplaces people actually feel safe in?
💡 What can we do — today — to make things better?
Because mental health isn’t a side issue. It’s at the heart of how we work, how we lead, and how we live!
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