Business Council of Australia Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott has joined fellow members of the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance in welcoming today’s release of the ‘Heads Up’ initiative.

“Business leaders recognise the devastating consequences mental illness can have on individuals, on employers and on the broader community.

“‘Heads Up’ has the potential to help us all by offering businesses practical and evidence-based advice and resources to help them build mentally healthy workplaces.

“The research conducted by PwC for beyondblue and the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance shows that mental health conditions affect around one in five Australian workers, and cost our workplaces $11 billion a year.”

The research also found that by creating mentally healthy workplaces, companies can save on average $2.30 for every $1 they invest.

“This is not just an issue for governments and community organisations. The evidence is clear that mental health is something business cannot afford to ignore, for business reasons as well as moral and social reasons.

“The BCA welcomes the ‘Heads Up’ initiative as a valuable resource to support our member companies and business as a whole to invest in the mental health of current and future staff."

More information on the ‘Heads Up’ initiative can be found here