What Are Psychological Injuries At Work?
Understand psychological injuries at work and how they affect employees.
What Are Psychological Injuries?
Psychological injuries are mental health conditions caused or worsened by work. These can include stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and emotional burnout.
Unlike physical injuries, psychological injuries may not be visible but can be just as debilitating—affecting a person’s ability to concentrate, sleep, interact with others, or carry out daily work tasks.
Common warning signs include:
- Persistent low mood or irritability
- Trouble sleeping or fatigue
- Panic attacks or heightened anxiety
- Loss of motivation or withdrawal from others
- Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or emotionally numb
Early intervention is key—both for recovery and for making a valid WorkCover claim if the injury is work-related.
Common Causes of Psychological Injuries at Work
- Bullying or harassment
- Excessive workload or pressure
- Poor leadership or lack of support
- Exposure to trauma (e.g. first responders, healthcare)
- Job insecurity or toxic workplace culture
Legal Rights and Protections in Australia
In Australia, employers aren’t just responsible for physical safety—they also have a legal duty to protect your mental health at work.
Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws, businesses must identify and manage psychological risks. That includes things like stress, bullying, or unsafe workloads.
You’re also protected by national bodies like Safe Work Australia and the Fair Work Commission, which offer guidance and support if your mental wellbeing is being affected on the job.
Can You Claim Workers’ Compensation?
You can sometimes claim workers’ comp (WorkCover) for mental health issues caused by work — like bullying, harassment, or exposure to trauma.
What’s usually covered:
- Workplace bullying or harassment
- Exposure to traumatic incidents
- Unsafe workloads that clearly affect mental health
What’s usually not covered:
- Performance reviews
- Disciplinary action
- General stress from reasonable management decisions
If the claim is accepted, you may get time off paid, plus treatment costs covered. But it depends on the situation — and not every claim is approved.
Tolk to us today about taking proactive mental health support to the next level.
How Employers Can Prevent Psychological Harm
Creating a mentally healthy workplace isn’t just about reacting when things go wrong — it’s about building a culture that protects people from harm in the first place.
Build a Mentally Safe Workplace
Start with open communication, respectful leadership, and realistic workloads. Clear job expectations and fair treatment go a long way in reducing stress and uncertainty.
Focus on Early Intervention
Managers should be trained to spot the early signs of burnout, conflict, or distress — and know how to respond. Checking in regularly, not just when things escalate, helps catch problems early.
Offer Ongoing Support
Having an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available shows staff there’s support when they need it. But beyond that, encourage people to use it, promote mental health days, and make wellbeing part of everyday conversations — not just a once-a-year initiative.
Preventing psychological harm isn’t one big action — it’s a mix of small, consistent steps that create a safe and supportive place to work.
*Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified legal professional.
Related:
- EAP For Construction Businesses
- How Much Do EAPs Cost?
- EAP Counselling
- How To Respond To A Critical Incident
- Benefits of EAPs
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All counsellors must apply to the role and are interviewed before added to the platform, must meet the criteria as per the below.- We employee counsellors, mental health social workers, mental health nurses and psychotherapists.- Qualifications in Counselling, Psychotherapy or Social Work, minimum Bachelor or Masters qualification- Minimum 3 years direct practice experience post graduation- Registration with appropriate body – PACFA Clinical registration, ACA level 2 minimum, Accredited Mental health Social worker or Clinical Social worker- Broad experience providing individual coaching, counselling and support for personal and work-related issues- How far reaching is your EAP? We have counsellors located in every major city in Australia.
What is the difference between counsellors and psychologists? 1. Qualifications & Training - Counsellor: Typically holds a Diploma or Master’s degree in counselling, or psychotherapy. Their training is focused on practical techniques for supporting mental health and well-being.- Psychologist: Requires a Master’s or Doctorate degree in psychology and must be registered with a AHPRA Their training includes clinical assessments, diagnosis, and therapy.2. Scope of Practice- Counsellor: Provides talk therapy and guidance for life challenges like stress, anxiety, work issues, and relationships. They help clients develop coping strategies but do not diagnose mental disorders.- Psychologist: Can provide therapy like a counsellor but also conducts clinical assessments, diagnoses mental health disorders, and uses evidence-based treatments like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).3. Who Should You See?- If someone needs support for personal or work-related challenges, a counsellor is often enough.- If someone is experiencing mental health concerns, like depression, PTSD, or needs a formal diagnosis, a psychologist is more appropriate.
- Counsellors only offer f2f after the initial consult.- At Foremind, all face-to-face sessions must begin with an initial online session.- The initial online session gives your counsellor the opportunity to explain exactly how their face-to-face sessions work, what options are available, and to ensure everything is properly scheduled. This helps avoid confusion and makes sure you get the best experience possible.- For sales team info; @Dylan This is because our system currently doesn't allow therapists to list separate locations and availability for face-to-face sessions, and many of our counsellors offer in-person appointments only at specific times or locations.- For example, Skai near Byron Bay provides face-to-face sessions, but only on Thursdays and with enough advance notice to arrange space and travel.- F2F sessions also need a bigger time-buffer between so they cannot be booked back-to-back.- Availability for space -- First session is counted + information to book in counselling to allow make- F2f take 3 sessions to break through pleasing tendencies - therapeutic alliance - online