Evidence Based Research

1 in 5 Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental disorder (1)

More than 2 in 5 Australians (42.9 per cent) aged 16–85 years have experienced a mental disorder in their lifetime (1)

In 2023-24, Mental Health related presentations to public emergency departments have increase by 22% since 2014-15 (2)

Australian businesses lose over $6.5 billion each year by failing to provide early intervention/treatment for employees with mental health conditions (3)

Nearly 50% of all senior managers believe that none of their workers will experience a mental health problem at work (4)

2 in 3 would not mention mental health as a reason for taking time off & 39% who did disclose to their managers faced discrimination. 32% feared job loss or career punishment (5)

14,600 work related injury & illness claims were due to mental health conditions, with a median time loss of 37 weeks & a median compensation payment of $65,402 (6)

Mental Health now accounts for 79.6% of the total rise in permanent disability claim rates. Men are 58.8% more likely than Women to be permanently disabled due to poor mental health (7)

Australians who died by suicide in 2023, 64% had a mental & behavioural disorder recorded as an associated cause of death (8)

For every $1 spent on creating a mentally healthy workplace, the average return was $5.70 in public administration, health, water, power, construction, & mining industries (9)

Organisations that implement mental health training for managers’ report a 30% reduction in mental health related absences (10)

52% of employees feel more engaged & productive when their organisation offers mental health resources, such as access to counselling or wellness programmes (10)

Companies that foster a culture of open communication & mental health awareness see a 20% increase in employee retention rates (10)

BECOME A MHFAIDER

MHFA training in the workplace lead to:

MENTOR STUDY RESULTS RE: MHFA TRAINING

91%

of participants reported an increased understanding of mental health issues in their workplace.

88%

felt more confident addressing mental health concerns.

87%

observed more frequent mental health conversations at work.

Study in 2018

83%

noted improved procedures for signposting to further support.

64%

believed the training helped reduce mental health stigma.

59%

saw an increase in help-seeking behaviours amongst employees.

(11 & 12)

Harvard Referencing

(1) Australian Bureau of Statistics 2020-2022, National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, ABS, viewed 9 June 2025, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/latest-release.

(2) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2025, Emergency departments – Mental health, AIHW, Canberra, viewed 12 June 2025, https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/topic-areas/emergency-departments.

(3) Ipsos & The B Well Coalition 2023, Our State of Mind 2023 Report, viewed 6 June 2025,
https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2023-09/The%20B%20Well%20Coalition%20and%20Ipsos_Our%20State%20of%20Mind%202023%20Report.pdf.

(4) Australian Human Rights Commission 2010, 'Managing mental illness in the workplace', Australian Human Rights Commission, viewed 6 June 2025, https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/3-managing-mental-illness-workplace

(5) MindForward Alliance 2024, GBC Australia Country Report, viewed 6 June 2025, https://mindforwardalliance.com/Resources/Global-Research-Study-Report.

(6) Safe Work Australia 2024, Key Work Health & Safety Statistics Australia 2024, viewed 6 June 2025.
https://data.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/insights/key-whs-statistics-australia/latest-release.

(7) KPMG Australia 2024, Australia’s Mental Health Check Up, viewed 6 June 2025,
https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/au/pdf/2024/australias-mental-health-check-up.pdf.

(8) Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) 2025, Suicide & self-harm, viewed 6 June 2025,
https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/snapshots/suicide-and-self-harm.

(9) Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) 2015, Ignoring mental health costs Australian businesses $48.9 billion per year: Tim Marney, viewed 6 June 2025, https://www.ceda.com.au/newsandresources/news/health-ageing/ignoring-mental-health-costs-australian-
businesses#:~:text=Ignoring%20mental%20health%20is%20costing,Mental%20Health%20Commissioner%2C%20Tim%20Marney.

(10) MHFA England 2024, Key workplace mental health statistics for 2024, viewed 6 June 2025, https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/Key-workplace-mental-health-statistics-for-2024/.

(11) University of Nottingham 2018, MENTOR: MENtal health first aid in The wORkplace: A feasibility study. viewed on 6 June 2025, https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/rehabilitation/projects/mentor-mental-health-first-aid-in-the-workplace-a-feasibility-study.aspx.

(12) IOSH Magazine 2021, Making mental health matter, pg 12 - 14, viewed 6 June 2025, https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2021/04/28/making-mental-health-matter.

ORGANISE MHFA TRAINING