Beyond Blue today welcomed the Federal Government's commitment of $11.5 million over four years towards mentally healthy workplaces.
As an active member of the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance, Beyond Blue CEO Georgie Harman said the funding would support the mental health of 12.6 million working Australians.
"This landmark Budget funding for the National Mental Health Commission to lead the development of a new National Workplace Mental Health Initiative will help us, for the first time, realise a truly national approach to workplace mental health," Ms Harman said.
"Mentally healthy workplaces are good for organisations and for workers. They lift participation and strengthen our economy and our communities,
"We know that for every dollar a workplace invests in the mental health of its people, it will receive an average $2.30 return, so mentally healthy workplaces make good business sense, too,
"Beyond Blue has a strong record of supporting workplace mental health across all sectors and industries and is looking forward to collaborating with Alliance partners on this next important step."
The National Mental Health Commission will lead the four-year program on behalf of the Alliance.
Ms Harman said the National Workplace Mental Health Initiative would offer hands-on tools for workplaces around Australia.
"After years of working with and listening to the needs of employers and employees, it's clear we need to bring together the multiple and sometimes confusing array of programs,
"The Initiative will do just that. It will detail what works and give workplaces clear, step-by-step processes for taking action, from sole traders and small business to multinationals,
"Importantly it will link workplaces to regulatory requirements and localised programs in each state and territory, not duplicate or cut across them."
"The Alliance is a unique grouping of business peak bodies, regulators, unions, researchers and mental health organisations which approaches workplace mental health from all angles and interests. What binds us is the knowledge that collectively we can lead real change for the benefit of millions of Australians and their families."
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