Silent mental health epidemic affects Australian workers

The problem of work-related mental illness in the Australian working population is far larger than what shows up in workers’ compensation claims, says Deakin’s Professor of Work, Health and Wellbeing, Anthony LaMontagne.

Professor LaMontagne, who leads the Work, Health and Wellbeing Unit within Deakin’s Population Health Strategic Research Centre, was interviewed for an in-depth series by ABC Radio National’s “Background Briefing” program, entitled “Caught in the stigma trap: the cost of mental illness in the workplace.”

In the interview, Professor LaMontagne argues that workers’ compensation claims are “just the tip of the iceberg” and there is “huge stigma” attached to making a claim. He has estimated that exposure to stressful working conditions is widespread, affecting a large number of workers.

In fact, the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance has estimated Australian businesses lose as much as $10.9 billion a year from mental illness in the workplace and one in five workers are affected.

• Listen to “Caught in the stigma trap.”