Australia’s first annual Mental Health Week was held 33 years ago in 1985.

This year it will be held between 7 October and 13 October, scheduled to incorporate World Mental Health Day which is tomorrow, on 10 October.

Government councils, charities and other organisations around Australia and throughout the world have organised a range of activities, festivals, social, educational and support events.

The aim of these is to raise community, national and global awareness of mental health issues and try to eliminate the prejudices and stigmas that surround mental illness.

A common misconception is that people with mental health issues are unable to work or are unable to be productive, or are even unpredictable or dangerous to others.

This is completely wrong.

Moreover, almost 50% of Australians will suffer with a mental disorder at some point in their lives and one in six working-age people in Australia have a mental health condition.

Now is a good time for employers to take stock of mental health in their workplaces and consider the welfare of employees who may be suffering with mental illness.