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Reticence around acknowledging mental health issues may be a consequence of real or perceived stigma in workplaces. A safe working environment is a key to overcoming such stigma regarding mental health. Workplaces must negotiate that same fine line between normalising and not trivialising mental health issues and by having resources in place to support speech pathologists who are managing mental health issues. For example, the National Medical Health Commission (2013) and Australian Human Rights Commission (2010) provide resources for mental health in the workplace. Conclusion We have raised ethical issues related to mental health in client care and health care practice for the purposes of reflection and to facilitate conversations around developing safe cultures in workplaces. Mental health is a complex topic and may not be addressed in work places until a significant incident occurs involving a client or health professional. Can we as speech pathologists, colleagues and managers develop a more proactive approach to mental health in our workplaces? References Australian Human Rights Commission. (2010). Workers with mental illness: A practical guide for managers. Retrieved from http://www.humanrights.gov.au/our-work/disability- rights/publications/2010-workers-mental-illness-practical- guide-managers Ayala, E. E., Ellis, M. V., Grudev, N., & Cole, J. (2017). Women in health service psychology programs: stress, self-care and quality of life. Training and Education in Professional Psychology , 11 (1), 18–25. Branch, W. T. (2000). The ethics of caring and medical education, Academic Medicine , 75 , 2, 127–132. COAG Health Council. (2015). A national Code of Conduct for healthcare workers. Retrieved 19 June 2017 from http://www.coaghealthcouncil.gov.au/ NationalCodeOfConductForHealthCareWorkers McLaughlin, E., Lincoln, M., & Adamson, B. (2008). Speech-language pathologists’ views on attrition from the profession. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology , 10 , 3, 156–158. Murray, A. (2009). Introduction – Mental health, Special edition . ACQuiring Knowledge in Speech, Language and Hearing , 11 (3), 131.

National Mental Health Commission (2013). Developing a mentally healthy workplace: A review of the literature. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov. au/our-work/mentally-healthy-workplace-alliance.aspx Speech Pathology Australia. (2010). Code of ethics . Melbourne: Speech Pathology Association of Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2017 from https://www. speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/SPAweb/Members/Ethics/ spaweb/Members/Ethics/Ethics World Health Organization. (2017). Mental health: A state of well-being. Retrieved 7 May 2017 from http://www.who. int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/ 1 The case studies have been created by the authors to stimulate discussion of mental health issues. If these cases have raised concerns for you, the following services may offer support: Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/ national-help-lines-and-websites SANE Australia https://www.sane.org/ Black Dog Institute https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ If you have concerns regarding the ethical implications of your own or a colleague’s health concerns with impacts upon competence to practice, you may seek advice from Trish Johnson, Senior Advisor, Ethics and Professional Issues, Speech Pathology Australia, tjohnson@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au. Dr Belinda Kenny is an elected member of the Board of Ethics. Belinda is an academic at Work Integrated Learning, University of Sydney, with learning, teaching and research interests in ethical reasoning and ethical practice. Trish Bradd is a Senior Board appointed member of the Ethics Board and a Fellow of Speech Pathology Australia. With tertiary qualifications in speech pathology and management, Trish has extensive experience in the public health care sector. Noel Muller is a consumer from Queensland. As a consumer, he has a passion for consumer rights and equity, particularly in the provision of health and community services for all. Noel strongly believes that the community must be involved in all aspects of the decision process and the provision of services.

Correspondence to: Belinda Kenny The University of Sydney Work Integrated Learning, Faculty of Health Sciences email: belinda.kenny@sydney.edu.au phone: +61 2 9036 7354

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JCPSLP Volume 19, Number 3 2017

www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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