Mental health has become a prominent issue to tackle within the workplace, however, many are still suffering in silence. The Mental Health at Work Report 2017 states that today’s young generation face an employment landscape that could damage their mental health and wellbeing unless action is taken. Only a third of 18 to 29-year olds are comfortable talking with their manager about mental health issues compared to almost half of people in their 40s. [1]
Did you know that?
- Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year [2]
- 15% of employees that disclosed a mental health issue face disciplinary procedures, demotion or dismissal [3]
- Less than a quarter of line managers have received any training in mental health [4]
- 5 million working days were lost due to work related stress, depression or anxiety in 2016/2017 [5]
- Women in full-time employment are nearly twice as likely to have a common mental health problem as full-time employed men (19.8% vs 10.9%) [6]
How to tackle it?Research has shown that employers who invest in workplace health initiatives to support the health and wellbeing of their employees have the potential to see a significant return on investment. Better mental health support in the workplace can save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year! [7] We need to improve mental health provisions in business to help those suffering from mental illnesses.
Train employees to be Mental Health First AidersArm employees with the skills and confidence to recognise and support anyone dealing with mental stress. Mental Health First Aid is the mental health equivalent of physical first aid. The training is an internationally recognised and accredited two-day course developed by Mental Health First Aid England. It is designed to raise awareness of mental health and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. The course will provide employees with the knowledge to identify the symptoms of mental health issues, effectively support anyone dealing with mental stress and guide people towards the appropriate professional help.
Provide Stress and Resilience TrainingEmpower employees to deal with stress, change and mental health issues in the workplace. Evidence is mounting to support the needs for employers to focus on the mental health of their employees. It has never been more important to help your managers in becoming competent, confident and compliant in dealing with stress and mental health issues in the workplace. Stress and Resilience Training provides your workforce with the knowledge to understand and tackle the issues your employees are facing. Topics can include mental health awareness, understanding the relationship between pressure and performance, stress in the workplace, managing and coping with change, building resilience and mindfulness.
Reward staff with Wellness Gift BoxesStaff appreciation can go a long way, rewarding performance or saying thank you with a bespoke Wellness Gift Box can demonstrate as an employer that you acknowledge hard work done by your staff. Our Wellness Gift Boxes are perfect for transmitting the message that you are a company that cares about its people and promotes healthy living. Exclusive to Your Wellness Hub, we will create you a beautiful, bespoke Gift Box containing products that promote health, wellness and mindfulness.
If you are looking to implement a wellness strategy into your business, please visit Your Wellness Hub on www.yourwellnesshub.co.uk or email use on info@yourwellnesshub.co.uk.
References
[1] Mental Health at Work Report 2017 - https://wellbeing.bitc.org.uk/all-resources/research-articles/mental-health-work-report-2017
[3] Mental Health at Work Report 2017 - https://wellbeing.bitc.org.uk/all-resources/research-articles/mental-health-work-report-2017
[4] Mental Health at Work Report 2017 - https://wellbeing.bitc.org.uk/all-resources/research-articles/mental-health-work-report-2017
[5] HSE Work-related Stress, Depression or Anxiety Statistics in Great Britain 2017 -http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/stress/stress.pdf
[6] Mental Health Foundation - Mental health statistics: mental health at work -https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-mental-health-work
[7] Mental Health Foundation - Mental health statistics: mental health at work -https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/statistics/mental-health-statistics-mental-health-work
