South Australia’s public sector moves on a mental health first

THOUSANDS of public servants will undergo mental health first aid training for the first time to identify issues before they become serious and to reduce stress-related leave.

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THOUSANDS of public servants will undergo mental health first aid training for the first time to identify issues before they become serious and to reduce stress-related leave.

Mental Health Commissioner Chris Burns, who made the issue one of his first orders of business when he was employed last year, applauded the move.

Figures show that of all disease-related compensation claims, 77 per cent were for mental health issues, accounting for 19,000 out of 25,000 lost working weeks a year in South Australia.

In January, The Advertiser revealed that sick leave in the state’s public sector had grown to an average of 10.1 days a year, three days higher than the private sector, with health staff attributing the additional days in part to stress-related illness.

Mental health issues accounted for 77 per cent of disease-related compensation claims. Picture: iStock

Public Service Association secretary Nev Kitchin said the plan, negotiated by the unions and the State Government, would help to drive down sick leave while keeping the workforce healthier.

The Office of the Public Sector needs providers to train 2000 elected health and safety representatives, across all government agencies, in mental health first aid.

Help will be provided to staff developing a problem, experiencing a worsening of an existing problem or in a mental health crisis. Health and safety representatives will learn about:

THE signs and symptoms of mental health problems.

HOW to provide initial help.

WHERE and how to get professional help.

WHAT sort of help has been shown to be effective.

HOW to provide first aid in a crisis situation.

SA Mental Health Commissioner Chris Burns.

Mr Burns said it was important all staff recognise they are legally obligated to maintain a mentally healthy workplace just as they are a physically healthy workplace.

“I would prefer they didn’t just see it as a compliance obligation, but recognise the productivity benefits of having a mentally fit workforce,” he said.

“The return on investment for mentally healthy workplaces far outstrips the investment cost because there’s increased productivity, much happier workers and a far stronger community.

“Ultimately, this all contributes to growing the state’s mental wealth.”

Mr Kitchin said the union believed there was a need for the training.

“It can relate work to overload, it could also relate to personal issues or a range of issues,” he said. “For us, it is also about early intervention.

“Part of the intention is to drive down sick leave.”

Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri said the SA public sector was always looking at ways to support the workforce.

“It is widely recognised that common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can make individuals withdraw and less likely to ask for help ... training assists with early intervention to help break this cycle,” she said.

“The training aims to help increase awareness of mental health in the workplace and empowers trained staff to take the appropriate first aid steps.

“Our sector, which is the largest and most diverse employer in South Australia, is among many employers who are actively working to raise more awareness around mental health at work.’’