Indeed report highlights rise in mental health issues

Indeed has released its Future of Work report for 2022. Over two thousand Australians were surveyed, with results highlighting a rise in workplace mental health issues and a greater demand for support.

More than half of those surveyed say they’ve disclosed mental health issues at work. Forty-one per cent of respondents say that the number of colleagues disclosing mental health issues is increasing, while nearly half say their work does not offer mental health training.

Indeed psychologist, Amanda Gordon outlined the issues in a statement: “We used to pretend the outside world didn’t impact on how we showed up at work, but COVID-19 changed this forever. It changed how we work, and our lives outside of work, and inextricably linked these two worlds overnight without warning.”

She continued: “The heightened state of fear and uncertainty COVID-19 held us in for close to two years exacted a great social and psychological toll and it’s therefore no surprise that this has shown up in the Australian workplace.”

Fifty-one per cent say their employers aren’t doing enough towards supporting mental health problems, and 40 per cent say their leaders treat health and wellbeing as buzzwords.

Seventy per cent of those surveyed believe mental health will become a bigger focus area of employers and 50 per cent say health and wellbeing needs will increase in the next two years.

Ms Gordon added: “Care and compassion will be critical in the employer-employee relationship of the future. Employers must consider how they will meet the significant mental health and wellbeing needs of their employees by offering a range of support they can access through their preferred channels at any given time. Those who do, will be best placed to attract and retain talent in the future of work.”

According to the research, adequate mental health awareness is important in attracting and retaining talent. Sixty-eight per cent believe addressing these issues is key to retention, and 54 per cent believe it crucial in attracting candidates.

Employee dissatisfaction from a poor response to mental health and wellbeing can lead to turnover. Forty-one per cent said they’re ‘very likely’ to look for a new job, and 28 per cent reported they are ‘very likely’ to leave their current work.

Employers may benefit by providing safe spaces for their staff to turn to with these issues. Sixty-two per cent would first turn to a colleague for support. 48 per cent say they provide support for their colleagues’ mental health.