“Proactively managing psychosocial hazards at work not only protects workers, it also benefits businesses by improving organisational performance and productivity.” - Marie Boland, Chief Executive Officer, Safe Work Australia
In light of recent data published by Safe Work Australia, it's clear that the mental health of workers is becoming a growing concern for organisations across Australia. The “Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace” report (https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/report/psychological-health-and-safety-workplace) reveals that mental health injuries account for 9% of all serious workers’ compensation claims during 2021-22, a major 36.9% increase since 2017-18. The findings highlight the severity of the issue for individuals, their families, the organisation and our communities, and also the very significant associated financial costs. Mental health injuries resulted in workers taking four times more time off compared to physical health claims, with compensation for mental health conditions being more than three times greater. More worrying is that fact that workers suffering from mental health injuries often face stigma, both from colleagues and their employers, making their return to work even more challenging.
Given these concerning trends, it is critical that organisations implement proactive and protective strategies to ensure psychological safety in the workplace. Two of the most effective, research-backed preventative strategies are education and group debriefing, which have been proven to protect workers from psychological harm and promote a healthier, more resilient workforce.
The Role of Education in Preventing Psychological Hazards
Some of the most at-risk staff are those who are exposed to trauma stories and events, but who have no clinical training to give them the tools, strategies and understanding of trauma and it’s impact on witnesses. Education helps employees understand the psychological risks they face in their work environment. Trauma-informed education sessions equip workers with knowledge to recognise early signs of stress, burnout, and vicarious trauma, particularly in high-risk sectors like emergency services, healthcare, social work, law and others. By helping staff to understand how repeated and ongoing exposure to traumatic events can affect mental health, organisations empower their staff and management teams to take preventative steps.
More importantly, education helps remove the stigma of mental health injuries in the workplace. When workers and management alike are informed about the psychological impact of their work, it creates an environment where mental and emotional health concerns are taken seriously, reducing the stigma that often accompanies psychological injuries. This, in turn, encourages employees to seek help early, without the fear of unhelpful repercussions, before their condition worsens.
Group Debriefing as a Key Preventative Strategy
Alongside education, it is equally important to provide employees with ongoing emotional support, and group debriefing sessions are a cost-effective way to achieve this. Group debriefing with a facilitator allows staff to share their experiences and emotions in a structured, supportive environment. These sessions give both immediate relief by allowing individuals to process difficult experiences, and also help workers realise they are not alone in their feelings. When team members see that their peers are also struggling with similar emotions, it normalises the experience and fosters a sense of solidarity and mutual support. By reducing isolation we are also reducing risk factors for vicarious trauma.
Debriefing is particularly important for organisations where employees are exposed to trauma on a regular basis, such as those involved in responding to natural disasters, client trauma and grief, impacts of violence, and health care. These group sessions help to reduce the emotional burden on workers by creating a space where they can safely express their feelings and receive validation from their peers. This shared understanding is crucial in preventing the isolation that often accompanies trauma exposure and can significantly reduce the risk of long-term psychological harm.
The Benefits for Organisations
Proactively managing psychosocial hazards not only protects workers but also provides real, measurable benefits to businesses. By implementing education and debriefing strategies, organisations can reduce the incidence of mental health claims, improve return-to-work outcomes, and enhance overall workplace morale. In the long term, a mentally healthy workforce is a more productive and engaged workforce, which will give you improved overall performance and productivity.
In conclusion, as the latest report from Safe Work Australia highlights, the mental and emotional health of workers is a critical issue to the health and wellbeing of organisations and our community. By prioritising education and debriefing as preventative strategies, organisations can create safer, more supportive workplaces that protect staff from psychological harm and promote long-term wellbeing. The cost of inaction and denial is simply too high—for workers and organisations alike.
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