The 2018 International Mental Health Conference is almost upon us again, this year the conference will be held over the 8th – 10th August at the RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

This annual conference is now in its 19th year and continues to be the pinnacle event in the mental health industry. The Conference provides an invaluable opportunity to build relationships and to share knowledge, research and latest policies.

Miss Aislin Harper, Principal Advisor at Workplace Health and Safety Qld joins us at the conference to discuss ‘Mentally Healthy Workplaces Toolkit’.

Abstract

Over half of Australian employees report that their workplace is mentally unhealthy. Many managers and leaders report uncertainty on the most effective strategies for managing psychosocial risk and creating a mentally healthy workplace. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland aims to build capacity within workplaces to identify and manage work-related psychosocial hazards and promote safe and healthy workplaces through good work design practices. The Mentally Healthy Workplaces Toolkit is a new integrated and holistic mental health toolkit for workplaces. The toolkit includes a suite of practical resources and guidance to assist organisations to create mentally healthy and safe workplaces. This new resource covers content on the characteristics and benefits of a mentally healthy workplace, steps to promote positive mental health in the workplace, protecting from psychological harm, and supporting recovery from psychological injury. There are also strategies provided that small business can adopt to create a mentally healthy workplace. This presentation provides a brief overview of the toolkit, its content and tools, how it can be used by workplaces and other resources that are available from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland. Through attendance at this presentation, participants will gain an understanding of the importance of mentally healthy workplaces, preview the new mentally healthy workplaces toolkit and gain an understanding of how it can be used in workplaces. Other WHSQ tools and resources will also be briefly mentioned.

Biography

Aislin Harper is a registered psychologist and Principal Advisor within the Leadership and Culture team at Workplace Health and Safety QLD. Aislin’s current role involves working with industry in the areas of mentally healthy workplaces and leadership and culture to build capability and develop practical tools and resources. Aislin’s interest in employee mental health began when she ran two research programs examining work design strategies for employees. Since that time Aislin has worked on developing leadership and manager programs, assessing organisational safety culture and designing a holistic staff health and wellbeing program with a particular focus on staff mental health.

For further information on the 19th International Mental Health Conference and to secure your spot please visit anzmh.asn.au/conference