The importance of mental health and wellbeing in rural workforces

Mental health and wellbeing are now foundations across the Australian workplace. However, there is still a stigma around mental health that circulates in rural communities that can trump workplace wellbeing from being monitored.

Awareness, policies, and discussions about mental health and wellbeing across Australia continue to grow, especially in the workplace. Mental health in the workplace has been a focal point for organisations as they have realised its importance to employees and, therefore, the outcomes of their business.

Yet there is still a stigma attached to discussions about wellbeing and mental health, especially in smaller rural communities and smaller workforces, that permeates a real threat.

HR Leader recently spoke to Springfox’s organisational resilience, wellbeing expert, co-founder, and chief executive, Peta Sigley, about how smaller communities can make the changes that can dismantle this stigma and, therefore, positively improve the livelihood of workers.

“I think it’s paramount that support is available in our smaller, regional, and remote communities. The important thing is how we provide that support, and the first step is recognising that talking about mental ill health or mental distress is not a sign of weakness," Sigley said.

“In actual fact, it’s a strength. When you’re asking the question, you’re highlighting something that other people are probably talking about and experiencing. So, by raising the topic, it’s not only a sign of strength, but it’s also a sign of self-awareness. By discussing mental health, you don’t necessarily have to talk about your own situation, but it’s an invitation for others to participate in a conversation.”

“One common misconception is that mental health is linked to poor job performance. In fact, addressing mental health openly can lead to increased productivity, as it helps people feel safer and more secure.”

Sigley pinpointed a lack of resources as a catalyst for this overall deficiency in awareness, and she believes that an increase in said resources would bode extremely well for smaller communities.

“I think we could be doing more in terms of resources. Part of what we do is small group sessions and one-on-one sessions, giving people an independent, confidential space to talk. So, we sit nicely in that sweet spot between clinical support and informed support,”

“In a lot of backgrounds in psychology, coaching, and counselling, it’s not coming from the clinical space, and people feel more comfortable. However, we’d then recommend if they should see a registered health professional. Our aim is not to take that clinical care space but rather just create another avenue of help.”

“Giving people that sense of control and access to resources quickly is a really simple little strategy that can be so effective," concluded Sigley.