Mental health in the workplace

Interested in mental health in the workplace? Why not come along to our event on Tuesday, December 2 (5.30pm to 7pm at Redditch Town Hall) to find out more. E-mail redditchmhag@gmail.com or call 07788 379389 to confirm your attendance.

The true cost of mental health – Facts and figures:

22.8 per cent of the total cost of disability in the UK. (Department for Health)

£105.2billion costs each year to the economy including direct costs of services, lost productivity at work and reduce quality of life. (Department for Health)

At any one time, a sixth of the working age population of Great Britain experiences symptoms such as sleep problems, fatigue, irritability and worry which do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of a mental disorder but which can affect their ability to function adequately. A further sixth have problems which do meet the criteria. (Office for National Statistics)

Across the world, mental health problems account for an estimated 13 per cent of all lost years of healthy life. (World Health Organisation)

Impaired work efficiency due to mental ill health costs £15.1billion a year - £605 for every employee in the UK - absenteeism costs £8.4billion - £335 per employee – and replacing staff who leave due to mental health issues £2.4billion - £95 per employee . (Sainsbury Centre)

About half of employers would not wish to employ a person with a psychiatric diagnosis. (Manning and White)

In one study, 6.3 per cent of workers with a serious mental illness reported they had been fired, laid off or told to resign. (Baldwin and Marcus)

About one seventh of days lost due to mental health problems are attributed to work-related mental ill health (Sainsbury Centre)

But:

Researchers have concluded work is actually beneficial to wellbeing, for those not working getting back into work can improve their condition and unemployment is associated with increased rates of suicide. Work can give the person a social identity and status, support, a means of structuring their time and a sense of personal achievement. People with mental health problems are especially sensitive to the negative effects of being out of work and the potential social exclusion as a result.

It is estimated only three per cent of firms have a comprehensive occupational health service, although around 15 per cent have more basic support. The occupational health worker is likely to need support from mental health specialists to deal with those experiencing issues. Screening can provide an idea of which teams or departments may be experiencing a higher rate of problems and enable bosses to start looking at any potential reasons behind this.

The hope of campaigners and employees alike is companies will create a culture where people feel able to discuss difficulties with their managers and this will be dealt with appropriately (within the limits of what the organisation can provide) to ensure it does not develop into a larger problem.

Employee assistance programmes, many of which provide counselling, are growing in popularity among companies as are other schemes which focus on either the prevention of mental health issues or support for those with existing issues.

Getting the most out of employees:

Stress management techniques.

Brief individual therapy.

Interventions which address both individual and company-wide factors.

Regular contact from a line manager for those who are off work.