Myth 1
[1] The Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. (2011). Position Statement on Realising the Health Benefits Work. Sydney.
Myths 2, 4, 5
[1] Australian Human Rights Commission. 2010. Workers with Mental Illness: a Practical Guide for Managers. Australia.
[2] Working Women’s Resource Centre, One in Five: A Guide for Representing & Supporting Workers with Experience of Mental Illness. Working Women’s Resource Centre: New Zealand.
[3] Mind. 2010. Mental health in the workplace: an employers guide. Mind: London, England.
Myth 3:
[1] Australian Human Rights Commission. 2010. Workers with Mental Illness: a Practical Guide for Managers. Australia.
[2] Working Women’s Resource Centre. One in Five: A Guide for Representing & Supporting Workers with Experience of Mental Illness. Working Women’s Resource Centre: New Zealand.
[3] Mind. 2010. Mental health in the workplace: an employers guide. Mind: London, England.
[4] Equal Employment Opportunities Trust. Diversity Toolkits: Employing disabled people. [cited 2014 October]; Available from: http://www.eeotrust.org.nz/toolkits/disability.cfm?cache=455701.
MYTH 1: People with mental health problems can’t work. FACTS: - Mental health problems are often temporary and people can frequently work throughout their experience and lead stable and productive lives with good treatment.
- Everyone’s employment potential depends on their particular skills, experience, and motivations, as well as their current physical and mental health. For most people, being in employment improves general health and wellbeing and reduces psychological distress. Being able to participate in work is an important part of wellbeing for everyone including people who experience mental health problems.[1]
- People with mental health problems are already successfully working across the full spectrum of workplaces and roles.[2]
- Providing an environment which supports positive mental health will allow all staff to make the best possible contribution to the organisation.[3][4][5][6]
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MYTH 2: Employees with a mental health problem can be violent. FACTS: - People with mental health problems are no more violent than the general population.
- Employees with more severe and debilitating illnesses are more likely to be the victims of violence than to be violent themselves.
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MYTH 3: Employing someone with mental health problems is problematic and will cost a lot of money. FACT: - If any special arrangements are needed, they are often at no or low cost. The most frequent need is for flexibility around work schedules or permission to work from home occasionally.
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MYTH 4: Employees with mental health problems take a lot of sick leave and can’t manage stress, and this affects productivity. FACTS: - Research shows no differences in productivity between employees with or without mental health problems.
- Causes of personal and job-related stress vary between workers and are often unrelated to mental health problems.
- Productivity is maximised when there is a good match between the needs and working conditions of any employee.
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MYTH 5: Mental health problems are a sign of weakness and a lack of intelligence. FACTS: - Mental health problems bear no relation to weakness or IQ.
- Employees with mental health problems that affect their ability to concentrate, process, or remember information can use a variety of strategies to manage these difficulties.
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