The second week of Safe Work Australia Month has coincided with National Mental Health Week, causing organisers to remind all workers that mental health and safety is a workplace issue as well.

During National Mental Health Week organisers hope to raise awareness of the needs, experiences and issues concerning people with a mental illness. Many of those apply directly to work, or the inability to find any, experts say.

Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer, Rex Hoy says everyone should take the time to realise the impact mental health can have on workers and work health and safety.

“It is easy to think of work health and safety as a purely physical issue when in reality mental stress is a serious problem for many workers, their families, friends and employers,” said Mr Hoy.

Mental stress workers’ compensation claims are among the most costly form of compensation pay-outs, because they typically involve long periods of away from work. Figures suggest mental stress accounts for five per cent of all work-related injuries.

Authorities say work-related mental health issues are also the most under-reported, with workers who experience mental stress being far less likely to claim compensation than workers with other injuries.

“During Safe Work Australia Month let’s aim to raise awareness of mental health. Take the initiative and leave work on time or go for a walk at lunch time to get out of the workplace and get some fresh air. Help fellow workers reduce stress levels by encouraging them to take regular breaks from work or participate in workplace activities during safety month,” said Mr Hoy.