What Is the Role of Industry-Based Intermediary Organisations in Supporting Workplace Mental Health in Australia? A Scoping Review

Kristy Burns (), Louise A. Ellis, Abilio De Almeida Neto, Carla Vanessa Alves Lopes and Janaki Amin
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Kristy Burns: Department of Health Systems and Populations, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
Louise A. Ellis: Department of Health Systems and Populations, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
Abilio De Almeida Neto: SafeWork New South Wales, Gosford, NSW 2250, Australia
Carla Vanessa Alves Lopes: Department of Health Systems and Populations, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
Janaki Amin: Department of Health Systems and Populations, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Despite increasing interest in workplace mental health, limited attention has been paid to the role of industry-based intermediary organisations in delivering mental health support. This scoping review addresses this gap by examining the mental health-related activities of industry intermediaries in Australia. A systematic search of the peer-reviewed and grey literature from 2010 to 2023, supported by expert consultation and conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, identified 35 relevant records. Interventions were categorised using the WHO Guidelines on Mental Health at Work and evaluation activities coded according to the Conceptual Framework for Implementation Research. Organisational-level interventions were the most common (54%), followed by individual psychosocial support for distressed workers (40%). Mental health-specific intermediaries offered more WHO-recommended interventions and were more likely to evaluate their programs. Although evaluations suggested improvements in mental health literacy and high program acceptability, evidence of impact on worker health and organisational outcomes was limited. The findings suggest that intermediary organisations—including unions, business associations, and professional bodies—are well positioned to support tailored mental health strategies. However, the current lack of robust evaluations limits the understanding of their effectiveness. Future efforts should prioritise industry–research collaborations to strengthen the evidence base and inform sustainable investment in workplace mental health initiatives.

Keywords: psychological health; workplace mental health; intermediaries; scoping review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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