There is no doubt the printing industry in Australia has its pressures. Since the global financial crisis, several print outfits big and small have closed up shop, and those which have stayed open have been forced to downsize leading to job cuts. Even the print giants are feeling the pressure, as seen by the proposed merger of PMP and IPMG, with PMP flagging ‘significant challenges within Australia’s print industry’ as the cause of the consolidation.

Uncertainty about one’s employment status and other goings on in the workplace can trigger mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. If anyone can provide a personal insight into how mental illness manifests, how to manage it, and the life lessons that come along with it, it is Printing Industries director of government relations and former Senator, Mary Jo Fisher.

“Growing up I thought I was normal, in hindsight I realise that I was not. I had a great life until I hit rock bottom during my mid-forties,” Fisher explains. “When I got into the Senate in 2007 I was in denial, a few years later I realised I needed help and I got it, but it was too little too late.”

In July 2011, it was revealed Fisher had been charged with shoplifting and the alleged assault of a security guard at an Adelaide supermarket, from an incident that occurred in December 2010, a conviction for either charges would see Fisher lose her seat in the Senate.  At the time Fisher was battling diagnosed chronic depression, which soon became public knowledge.

Fisher's defence contended she was suffering from depression and a severe panic attack at the time of the offence. The magistrate cleared Fisher of shoplifting charges, but found her guilty of assault, although no conviction was recorded and no penalty was imposed.

However in June, 2012 news broke that Fisher had become involved in a second shoplifting incident, and this time it derailed her political career. She resigned from the Senate later that year while still recovering from her depressive illness.

Fisher says, “I lost my favourite job, no doubt I lost the respect of a lot of people, I lost a lot of money through using lawyers, but that is all I lost. Other people who do not seek treatment, or do not manage their illness, lose their family, their home, their marriage, they lose their freedom because they go to jail and some even lose their lives. Mental illness is not a death sentence unless you let it be.”

Causes and signs  

At any given time, one in five employees is likely to be experiencing a mental health condition, according to Beyond Blue, with anxiety and depression the most common. Untreated mental health conditions are currently costing Australian employers a staggering $10.9bn every year. However, mental illness does not discriminate, and bosses and business owners can also be affected.

According to Beyond Blue, small business owners face a number of risk factors for mental illness. They are likely to be under significant financial pressure by carrying large personal or business debts, they have large workloads, are responsible for people management which involves handling staff dismissals, conflict resolution and customer relations, and often lack self-care or a work/life balance – all of which can increase a person’s risk of mental illness.

Associate professor of psychiatry at Flinders University and one of the board directors for Beyond Blue, Michael Baigent says there can be a number of factors which can contribute to someone falling mentally ill.

“Looking particularly at the workplace, what we know from research is that workplaces that offer employees reasonable autonomy within their role are more likely to have psychologically healthier employees than those workplace which do not offer this,” Baigent explains.

“Causes of mental health issues within the workplace for employees are things like bullying, unreasonable demands from bosses or managers, uncertainty about employment status, and feeling as if you cannot access help.”

Baigent explains that not all stress can be attributed to a mental illness and sometimes small doses of stress in the workplace can help employees work more efficiently. Generally, Baigent says feelings of stress will diminish when whatever is driving it goes away, such as the completion of a long project. 

“When people are further down the spectrum and they are ill, their functioning is still impaired even after the stress is alleviated, they feel overwhelmed which affects their behaviour. If you are working with someone who has developed a mental illness, at work you might notice they are different to how they normally behave and this continues for a long period of time,” he says.

“They might drop out of social work gatherings, they might appear introspective or tearful. In the case of men, there could be constant anger or irritability, or they might start complaining about headaches and stomach aches. But basically they change, they are not functioning how they used to and they are recognisably different.”

Making a difference in the workplace

IVE Group – the parent of major printer Blue Star – has joined many workplaces across the country by recently introducing mental health support services to its staff. Under its employee wellness and benefits program called IVE Plus, the group provides employees and their family with access to counselling and support services, with all costs covered by the company.

IVE Group chief operating officer Matt Aitken says this service can be used to discuss anything from personal relationship matters, to financial matters and workplace related matters, with complete confidentiality assured.

“The aim of the programme is really to provide a suitable solution focused on intervention to support our staff, and peace of mind that they can talk to a professional in absolute confidence. From an IVE Group perspective as an employer we have no visibility of what the employees talk about or seek assistance for,” Aitken explains.

“We value our staff and we are always trying to find a way to provide a happier, safer and more supportive environment for them. For us this is a really important initiative we have put in place, we know that in times of need employees need support from not only their family, but also their employer.” 

Aitken says the IVE Plus program is advertised to staff via posters in the workplace and email memos about upcoming initiatives. However, for those seeking help who do not have access to support within the workplace, Prof Baigent recommends speaking to your local GP.

There are also preventative measures people can take to avoid exacerbating mental health issues. “Exercise is a useful thing to do, keeping in contact with friends and family, and being open about what is going, those things can help you cope and not become ill,” Prof Baigent explains. “If you do become ill it is important to do something about that so you can cope and manage the stresses you are facing. It is very important to take action if it is getting past that threshold for you.”

Now an ambassador for Beyond Blue, Mary Jo Fisher says acknowledging her mental illness was the first step in her journey to recovery. “The lesson I learnt is do not deny it if you think it is happening to you. Try to remember that it is an illness, not a weakness. When you go to get help realise it is going to be a journey, a hell of a journey.

She adds, “Mental illness does not discriminate, it can happen to anybody. It happened to me, do not let it do to you what it did to me.” 

If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78

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