As a HR advisor, I know the transformative impact that
prioritising mental well-being can have on organisational culture, employee
satisfaction, and overall performance.
In the spirit of Mental Health Awareness Week, I wanted to create some #movement on this topic, and in this blog, I'll share valuable insights on why mental health awareness matters, along with practical strategies for enhancing mental well-being in the workplace.
The reality of mental health struggles
A 2024 study of
2,000 UK adults found that over 1 in 7 say that their mental health
is currently either bad, or the worst it’s ever been. It is also worth noting that
more women than men are currently struggling with poor mental health (18.5% of
women vs 12.5% of men) and young people (aged 16-24) with nearly a quarter
(23.5%) describing their mental health as either bad or the worst it’s ever
been. Additionally, the same study also found:
·
In the UK someone searches for ‘How to reduce stress’ every 10 minutes
·
An average of 7,100 searches are conducted every month for ‘anxiety
treatment’
·
And 12,100 searches are made for ‘mental health helpline’
These stats highlight the sad reality
that the UK is in the grip of a mental health crisis. There’s no shortage of
headlines or data detailing the sharp rise in mental ill health that began
shortly after the first lockdown. This isn’t limited to the UK; indeed, this
mental health crisis is a global one. According to the World Health
Organisation (WHO):
·
The global economy loses more than US$ 1 trillion
per year due to depression and anxiety
·
Depression affects 264 million people in the world
·
People with severe mental conditions die 10-20
years earlier than the general population
·
In low- and middle-income countries between 76% and
85% of people with mental health conditions receive no treatment for their
condition, despite the evidence that effective interventions can be delivered
in any resource context
·
Globally there is less than 1 mental health
professional for every 10,000 people
So,
what can be done to tackle this crisis and why should employers care?
The significance of mental health awareness in the workplace
Creating inclusive and mentally
healthy workplaces for all staff including those with mental health problems is
the responsible thing to do. But employers in the UK also have a legal duty to
make reasonable adjustments to any employee experiencing a disability
under the Equality Act 2010, which can include a mental health problem, if it
has a substantial, adverse, and long-term effect on normal day-to-day
activities.
The term
"substantial" means that the effect of the impairment on the
individual's ability to carry out day-to-day activities must be more than minor
or trivial. The term "long-term" means that the effect of the
impairment must have lasted or be likely to last for at least 12 months or be a
condition that is likely to recur.
So, if a mental health
condition meets the definition of a disability under the Equality Act, then the
person would be entitled to protection against discrimination. This applies
even if an employee does not hold a formal diagnosis for a specific condition
or illness and they do not need a diagnosis to take an employer to a tribunal.
Sadly, due to
outdated assumptions about people with mental health problems, many individuals
today are, consciously and unconsciously, discriminated against in the world of
work and therefore disclosure of a mental health condition is not always given
through fear of discrimination. This is where raising awareness of mental ill
health across your organisation can really help to break the stigma and help
those in need of support.
Over and above any legal
obligation, however, it’s also no secret that proactively addressing mental
health concerns and increasing awareness across your organisation, through
specific initiatives, can also reduce absenteeism and increase the retention of
top talent.
A recent report from Personnel Today
found that almost half of UK workers are 'running on empty,' with burnout,
mental ill health, and work-related stress now costing the economy £28 billion
annually.
So, the numbers all show that
it’s not a matter employers can ignore!
Yet a recent Deloitte Insights2Action report revealed that 70% of managers believe they
face organisational barriers to supporting staff wellbeing including company policies, a heavy workload, an unsupportive
workplace culture, and not being equipped with the right skills - all
highlighting the need for businesses to provide adequate training and
support to their leaders.
Here are some actionable steps
businesses can take to improve mental health awareness…
Top strategies to foster mental health awareness
1. Promote
open communication: Foster a culture of openness where employees
feel safe discussing mental health concerns without fear of judgement. Regular check-ins
and dedicated forums for mental health discussions can provide a supportive
environment for employees to share their experiences.
2. Provide
comprehensive training: Invest in mental health training for
managers and staff to equip them with the necessary skills to recognise signs
of distress and offer appropriate support. Partnering with organisations like
Oakleaf, which offer Mental Health First Aid training and bespoke awareness
sessions, can enhance employee knowledge and confidence in addressing mental
health issues.
3. Offer
flexible working arrangements: Implement flexible work
schedules and remote working options to accommodate employees' individual
needs. Stanton House's Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy and flexi-hours empower
employees to work from different environments and tailor their schedules, promoting
better work-life balance and increasing engagement and retention.
4. Promote
work-life balance: Encourage employees to prioritise self-care
activities and utilise their annual leave days. Providing resources such as
mindfulness workshops and yoga classes can support employees in maintaining a
healthy work-life balance, reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being.
5. Provide
access to support services: Offer access to employee assistance
programmes (EAPs), counselling services, and mental health resources to support
employees' well-being. Ensuring employees are aware of available support
services and how to access them confidentially is essential for promoting a
supportive workplace culture.
The Stanton House Empathy Series
Point 1 above is an important one for me. I don’t believe
that we can pretend
that work and life can be completely separate and that what happens in our
lives doesn’t affect how we perform and act in the workplace. At Stanton House,
we created our own internal initiative called the ‘Stanton House Empathy
Series’ where we created a monthly forum for employees to share their lived
experiences across topics related to mental health including menopause,
anxiety, men's mental health, chronic illness and body image to name a few!
The stories shared and the resulting emotion experienced by
those listening is beyond what we could have imagined. True empathy in
action was the result. The outpouring of support and kindness to
colleagues has been truly amazing to see.
Download our guide: Why Empathy Matters
If you are interested in using our concept, content and materials, please reach out to our Learning & Development Partner, Esther Boffey. We are happy to share more details with you. You can also download our insight paper, ‘Why Empathy Matters in the World of Work’ here.
In conclusion, by nurturing an environment where mental well-being is valued, businesses can create a happier, healthier, and more resilient workforce, driving long-term success and prosperity. Let's commit to making mental health a priority and investing in the well-being of our greatest asset - our people.
Useful resources
Samaritans:
- Phone: 116 123 (free, available 24/7)
- Website: Samaritans
Mind Infoline:
- Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm)
- Email: info@mind.org.uk
- Text: 86463
- Website: Mind
Rethink Mental Illness:
- Phone: 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm)
- Email: info@rethink.org
- Website: Rethink Mental Illness
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably):
- Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (available 5 pm to midnight every day)
- Website: CALM
YoungMinds:
- Phone (Parents’ Helpline): 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm)
- Text (YoungMinds Crisis Messenger): Text “YM” to 85258
- Website: YoungMinds