World Mental Health Day and the Workplace

Saturday 10^th October is World Mental Health Day.

It is important to remember that mental health problems can affect anyone. More and more awareness is given to mental health, however, it is clear that some individuals in the wider community still do not understand its seriousness.

This year, promoting mental health is more important than ever. Lockdown has had a huge impact on us all, many of us have not seen loved ones in months, employees are required to work from home where possible, numerous employees remain on furlough leave and now local lockdown restrictions are being implemented.

As a result, there is a need for employers in the current climate, to understand how to manage their employees’ mental health within the workplace.

World Mental Health Day 2020 has never been so important.

The Impact Mental Health Has in the Workplace?

Mind, has conducted research into mental health in the workplace and found that a culture of fear and silence around mental health is costly to employers:

• 21% agreed that they had called in sick to avoid work when asked how workplace stress had affected them.
• 14% agreed that they had resigned and 42% had considered resigning when asked how workplace stress had affected them.
• 30% of staff disagreed with the statement “I would feel able to talk openly with my line manager if I was feeling stressed”.
• 56% of employers said they would like to improve staff wellbeing, but don’t feel they have the right training or guidance.

This shows how integral mental health is with regard to how staff feel about their job, perform and how they interact with colleagues and clients. Therefore, it is in an employer’s interest to:

• Improve mental health awareness within its organization.
• Tackle the causes of work-related mental ill health.
• Create a workplace culture where staff feel that they can talk openly about their mental health.
• Support staff who are experiencing mental ill health.

The Six Mental Health Core Standards

In October 2017, the Stevenson/Farmer Review set out a ten-year “vision” which aimed to reduce the number of those leaving work with mental health problems. The review proposed six ‘mental health core standards’, the aim being, that it would have little or no cost to implement in the workplace.

1. Mental Health Plans

The purpose of a plan is to help encourage and promote good mental health for all staff and to rid the belief that mental health is a taboo subject in an organisation. The plan should outline an approach to improving and protecting the mental health of staff, including the support a company provides or training.

The aim is that such a plan can be developed between the employee and the employer, or you may decide to set out a policy which addresses work-related stress, mental health and wellbeing.  

2. Raising Mental Health Awareness

All staff should be provided with training for mental health so that they can understand the issues which are posed when someone is struggling. Training can help managers identify those who may be struggling with their mental health, ensure all staff understand the expected standards of behavior and promote all staff to care for their wellbeing.

It is important to train managers in how to deal with mental health, however, it is evident in small companies that this may not be possible. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a set number of managers who are mental health champions.

3. Mental Health Champions

In larger organisations, it is advised that a senior manager is made responsible to ensure that support processes are put in place to ensure that good mental health is promoted in the workplace and to drive change within the organisation. The role of the champion should include:

• Raising mental health awareness across the organisation to normalise the topic.
• Promote positive and preventative approaches to good mental health.
• Seeking thoughts from staff on how to improve mental health within the organization.
• Be available to speak with staff and provide support.

4. Mental Health First Aiders

As opposed to a physical first aider who deals with accidents at work, mental health first aiders are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of someone suffering with a mental health illness. A first aider in this instance will be able to provide the employee with the support they need and guide them to seek help.

5. Good Work and Good Working Conditions

Common causes of mental ill health in the workplace occur as a result of the following:

• Unmanageable workloads or demands
• Poorly defined job roles and responsibilities
• Lack of control over work
• Unhealthy work-life balance
• Poor relationship with management or colleagues
• Organisational changes or job insecurity
• Lack of variety in work
• Limited career progression opportunities

It is important that employer’s identify what areas may be contributing to an employee’s mental ill health and put forward solutions to help promote good work and good working conditions for all employees.

6. Monitor Mental Health and Wellbeing

How you monitor mental health and wellbeing will depend upon the size of the business.

Employers will hold basic information about their staff, including absence records, return-to-work interviews, performance appraisals, etc. this information can be used to spot problems and provide support.

Alternatively, employers can also use staff surveys and other tools to improve communication and better understand the impact the workplace is having on mental health.

Consider Mental Wellbeing

This Mental Health Day take time to look after your own wellbeing and prioritise your mental health.

If you are a business and want to know more about how you can promote mental health in the workplace, please contact us.