Are businesses tackling the rise in Mental Health issues in the workplace?

After watching the BBC Three documentary Roman Kemp: The Fight for Young Lives and listening to the mental health struggles he has faced, from depression at a young age, to pressures and a hectic work lifestyle and the suicide of his friend, it made me wonder how many of us have mental health struggles at work and if there is anything we can do to support those in need.

I was shocked to discover that, according to the HSE, 1 in 4 people in the UK will have experienced a mental health problem at sometime with anxiety and depression be the most common problem affecting our mental health. One of the reasons for this is prolonged work-related stress which can lead to both physical and psychological problems and can aggravate a pre-existing condition.

A report by Lord Dennis Stevenson, Thriving at work, states that 300,000 people with long term mental health problems lose their jobs each year and that 15 % of people have symptoms of a pre-existing mental health problem. It is no wonder that the UK is facing a significant mental health challenge at work.

With the employment tribunal judge, in the case of Mrs D Phillips v Aneurin Bevan University Local Health Board, concluding that work-related stress can now be classed as a disability under the Equality Act 2010 employers really need to look at how they are supporting those within their organisation suffering from a mental health problem.

The annual cost to employers is between £33 billion and £42 billion due to low productivity, sickness absence and staff turnover all because employers are not tackling poor mental health in the workplace. Therefore, isnt it about time employers started looking at ways they can support those that are struggling with their mental health and work-related stress. The 'thriving at work report' proposes a set of 'mental health core standards that can be easily implemented into an organisation. One of those core standards is to develop mental health awareness among employees which can be achieved through awareness training. Companies should also be routinely monitoring their employees mental health and wellbeing as well as providing a healthy work life balance and opportunities for development.

If companies do more to recognise and support their employees struggling with their mental health and stress related illnesses they can then provide employees with a healthier working environment where they feel engaged, empowered and supported which will in turn increase productivity.

Take a look at our Mental Health Awareness Online Training Courses