Mental Health: Understanding Workplace Stress
The World Health Organization defines work-related stress as the response to demands that exceed a person's ability to cope. Workplace stress, especially when combined with limited support and control, can lead to burnout. Stress can be acute or chronic (dependent on causation and duration), affecting organizational performance, behaviour, and physical and mental health. Prolonged stress may harm relationships, autonomy, and lead to substance abuse and chronic diseases.

Why Discuss Workplace Stress?
The pharmacy and medical sectors have seen significant changes over the past few decades, especially with the rise of technology. This evolution brings new stressors, particularly around workforce development, AI integration, and industry norms. Pharmacy, in particular, is now looking at new Scope of Practice, the new 8CPA, and retaining, upskilling and strengthening the workforce. Amongst this, brings a whole new realm of stress, anxiety, and social norms that never once existed. A 2008 Medibank study found that stress-related absenteeism (the habitual pattern of absence from duty) and presenteeism (staying for more than required hours) cost the Australian economy over $14 billion annually, with more than three days lost per worker per year¹.

Mental Health Awareness in 2024
Today, Australians are more aware of mental health issues, thanks to increased advocacy and reforms due to the National Mental Health Commission (established in 2012). In Australia, there are legislative laws and regulations in place to protect employees (and at some level, employers) such as Work, Health and Safety (WHS/OHS depending on the state), discrimination law, and privacy act. Nearly 20% of people experience poor mental health each year, with significant economic costs: $12.2-22.5 billion each year (Australian Government Productivity Commission). Investing in workplace mental health yields a return of over $2.30 for every dollar spent².

For more information, check out the resources below from Medibank, WHO, Beyond Blue, and PWC. The PWC return on investment report really highlights how presenteeism and absenteeism reductions directly influence productivity and improvements to days absent due to ill mental health. I have also included a link to a recent publication “Managing Stress in Pharmacy (2018)” with input from PSS, PDL, PGA, PSA, PPA and SHPA⁴.

The figure below describes the impact of mental health conditions on individuals in the workplace³ and demonstrates the wider impact of one individual in a workplace setting.

The impact of workplace stress, being at work where we spend 8 hours a day 4-5 days a week (prolonged sustained exposure to stressors), is a huge challenge for businesses and organisations but it can be well managed if businesses viewed it as a business investment and enforced changes that focused on staff well being, team management, and changing the culture of their workplace and organisation from the top down to the coalface.

The challenges of workplace stress need not be overwhelming – it comes down to small, manageable, tangible changes for staff, and as teams feed back the loop, the business’ performance and staff morale and retention will eventually shift to a healthier state.

I’ll explore solutions to workplace stress in the next newsletter. Recognizing and addressing stress can lead to healthier work environments and improved business outcomes.

Stay tuned for part 2, where I’ll discuss actionable strategies to create a mentally healthy workplace.

Useful websites for more information:

https://www.fairwork.gov.au

https://humanrights.gov.au

https://supportforpharmacists.org.au

https://www.headtohealth.gov.au

https://www.fwc.gov.au

1. The Cost of Workplace Stress (2008). Medibank Private. [Document] https://www.medibank.com.au/content/dam/client/documents/pdfs/The-Cost-of-Workplace-Stress.pdf

2. Work and mental health. Website :https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/work

3. Creating a mentally health workplace: return on investment analysis (2008). Price Waterhouse Coopers. [Document]: https://www.pwc.com.au/publications/pdf/beyondblue-workplace-roi-may14.pdf

4. Managing Stress in Pharmacy: creating a healthier working environment in pharmacy by managing workplace stress. 2018. Pharmacists’ Support Service. [Document] https://supportforpharmacists.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/managing-stress-in-pharmacy-au-2018.pdf

More about the Author:

Catherine is an AHPRA registered clinical pharmacist with her most recent experience in public health, health policy, program management and health education. She wears many hats in the volunteer space and has held a diverse array of clinical and governance roles in health services and government (state and federal).

Catherine is a peer supporter in the pharmacy industry and in the wider medical industry with a depth of mental health clinical experience. She is passionate in prioritising mental health initiatives and programs in the workplace to support the organisation as a whole.