Mental Health Week and World Mental Health Day - 10 October 2008

Did you know that mental disorders affect nearly 12 per cent of the world's population?

In Australia, one in five adults will experience some form of common mental health problem in any one year.

Staff at the WorkFocus Group work with people with mental illness on a daily basis to assist them to either return to work or maintain their place in the workforce. This isn’t only for the job seekers and clients that we assist with return to work issues but also each other. A supportive manager and a team of people supportive of each other means a happy and healthy workplace. What have you done recently in the workplace for someone else to ensure their mental health? How about taking time out to have a coffee with a colleague and really listen to them – their hopes, dreams and problems.

Suffering a mental illness does not need to impact on employers or their employees. Staff at JobAccess can assist you with free advice and information on what incentives are available to assist you to manage mental health issues in the workplace.

For more information please call JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or visit www.jobaccess.gov.au.

For more information on Mental Health in Australia visit the Mental Health Council of Australia website (www.mhca.org.au).