Managing mental health in the workplace
At any one time, 1 in 6 employees is experiencing depression, anxiety or stress, and yet, mental health at work remains the elephant in the room. Employees report that they feel unable to speak up about issues and seek support, while managers are often ill equipped to be able to spot the signs or broach the subject. Mind’s ‘Taking care of business campaign’, working in partnership with employers and stakeholders including EAPA, aims to transform attitudes towards mental health at work.
Mind’s research in 2010 and 2011 has found that pressures within workplaces – and in turn, pressures on staff – are on the increase. Last year we found that as a result of the recession, 10 per cent of workers saw their GP for stress and anxiety and 1 in 7 have started taking antidepressants. Indeed, this year the trend continues, with people reporting that work is the most stressful thing in their lives, above money worries, marriage and relationships, or health issues. Yet 8 in 10 felt their manager would not help them cope with stress and 1 in 5 feared that speaking up about their stress would put them first in line for redundancy. Employees’ fears are not unfounded; of those who have disclosed a mental health problem at work, 1 in 5 have been sacked or forced out of their job.
The fear and reality of negative attitudes towards mental health issues at work prevent people from speaking up about problems, which can spiral into a crisis, leading to presenteeism, sickness absence and high staff turnover. Together these cost UK employers £26 billion, or £1,035 per employee every year. Mind’s campaign aims to raise awareness of these costs and provide employers with tools and advice on simple steps they can take to support staff improve and maintain their mental health. To date, over 40 organisations have signed up as official supporters, and our Employers’ Guide has reached over 5,000 employers.
EAPs play a crucial role in improving attitudes towards mental health in the workplace, and Mind, the UK’s largest mental health charity, is here to offer you both relevant and timely support. Whether you’re looking to encourage employees or employers to address mental health issues at work, we can help you with a range of tools including:
- Guides for individuals and employers
- Advice on practical issues your client base might be facing where mental health and stigma at work is concerned
- Best practice case studies and evidence for you to use and develop
- Mental health awareness training
- Workplace assessments
Find out more at www.mind.org.uk/work.
