I should mention my conflicts of interest which are several. i operate a boutique consultancy mh@work, mental health @ work and have been in this space for 12 years sharing my lived experience with bipolar and how work has been critical to my recovery, nurturing workplaces on a strategic journey and trying to get them to actually follow a long term culture change approach, much as is stated in this blog – thank you for vindicating my thinking and the research I have been spending many years researching.

I started this new career as the chair of beyondblue\’s blueVoices, consumer and carer arm as a way to try to earn a little money to allow me to do my voluntary advocacy work as I was sitting on many committees and boards more than 14 years ago. I endured my apprenticeship with bb more than 7 years ago.

Given I like eating and have a bean counter husband, I needed to do a Jerry McGuire and show some income. I did get a little remuneration from bb, but mostly my services and sharing my heart and soul was given lovingly and pro-bono to help the community.

Today I am a member of the recent and short lived Steering Advisory Group that represents the lived voice and works alongside the Alliance to try to offer this experience in this space.

Thank you for your perspectives, it is always important to have a balance and variety of views. There is no one silver bullet in this space, no can or should one organisation be a quick fix to problems as complex as mental illness. Beyondblue\’s charter is depression and anxiety related disorders. Since when did they move in to mental health more broadly?

This requires many perspectives to work together and offer a range of options in a holistic health promotion, prevention and early intervention approach. More evidence-based programs are required and collaboration with diverse parties, from OHS legal advice, to disability employers, injury managers, health professionals, alternative self-help treatment/recovery options.

I have shared this article on the new HeadsUP linked in group – I am sure that this will raise eyebrows and hopefully commence an interesting conversation!

Not sure if you have heard the news yet (or knew him), but Prof Chris Winder, formerly with the UNSW school of Safety Science and renown toxicologist passed away yesterday.

Michelle

Westacott is quoted as saying that \”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.\” I would add that not only should businesses not ignore mental health problems, they should not create them.