Why are employees with mental health issues being stigmatised again?

Why are employees with mental health issues being stigmatised again?

A recent trend in media reporting is encouraging a new form of stigma around people living with mental health issues, says Lisa McNally a Director of Public Health for Worcestershire County Council. 

In an opinion article for the Centre for Mental Health she highlights the rising number of media articles that question whether people are “gaming the NHS to get time off work” in the context of the UK’s high levels of long-term sickness and problems with economic inactivity. This has included the BBC surveys among GPs that suggested they rarely refuse any requests for sick notes for mental health concerns, and are often pressurised by patients.

Rage bait

Lisa McNally, who also an Honorary Professor at University of Birmingham, worries that the new form of stigma is the result of the media need for ‘rage bait’ for securing evidence of clicks and engagement.

“Reinforcing mental health stigma makes things worse for everyone. It can discourage people from getting help. It can stop them finding employment or housing. It can cause isolation and community tension. It can also lead people to lose trust in health professionals, making their jobs harder than they already are. Literally no one benefits from it.”

Stress or illness

EAPA UK chair, Karl Bennett said: “The nub of the issue is the difference between employees dealing with what might be considered ‘standard’ or common levels of stress and worry or low mood, that everyone experiences at times, and those who are suffering from serious, long-terms forms of mental illness which have a significant impact on their ability to work — and can lead to long-terms sickness absence.

“In recent years employers have demonstrated their recognition of the importance of wellbeing and mental health. But with NHS services under pressure and GPs unwilling to make judgments on the sensitive and complex cases that involve psychological health, who is taking responsibility for deciding what is ‘ordinary’ stress and what is an illness?

“Talking to an independent professional via an EAP is always going to be an important factor in terms of providing perspective for employees — for them to better understand their experiences and deal with underlying causes. And ultimately it will always be a matter of trust and relationships. Those employers with an open, supportive and positive culture are going to be more likely to have committed and engaged staff.”