Mental health problems are common
It's known that one in four British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year(1). So why is there so little understanding about this? Awareness is increasing with the help of dedicated charities and developing government policies to eliminate discrimination, but still very few people are trained in how to distinguish and help when a colleague is struggling.
Stress and anxiety in the workplace should not be ignored
Research (commissioned by the mental health charity Mind) has found that work is "the most stressful factor in people's lives, with one in three people saying their work life was either very or quite stressful" (2). Despite this, 45% of employers think that none of their employees would be suffering from a mental health problem(3). In fact, one in six workers are currently experiencing depression, anxiety or distress(4). What proportion of your company is that? Cambridge Network has a varied membership of start-ups, SMEs and global corporations - but all are equally responsible for looking after their workers' physical and mental health in the workplace.
What can be seen as an 'ordinary' level of stress in the workplace can quickly progress to being problematic for both the employee and employer but it is often not picked up on as something that can be improved with professional psychological help. Ignoring mental health issues in the workplace could lead to the affected member of staff dramatically reducing their productivity and draining company resources by continuing to work whilst unwell.
Larger businesses may well have a developed plan to spot problems and help those in need but what happens in smaller companies that cannot dedicate funds to mental health insurance? Eight out of 10 company directors say that their company has no formal policy to deal with stress and mental ill-health(5) which, with the amount of money being lost in society due to these issue each year (£25 billion according to The London School of Economics), is clearly not enough.
Raising awareness to combat typical problems
Mental Health Awareness Week is one of the few platforms used to raise awareness of the issues that are affecting such a large proportion of the population. There are events going on all over the country, but by just talking about mental health in a more open and free manner some of the stigma can be reduced.
An entrenched culture of stigma about stress and mental health problems is costly to employers both financially and staff turnover. Expected stigma in the workplace caused by admitting to being overly stressed or suffering from a mental health problem can be a certain way of silencing anybody and preventing them from finding help. In a small team, without a specified HR contact or close friend in the company, there can be few people available who seem appropriate to talk to if you are suffering – whether from a diagnosed mental health problem or unusual stress levels. Proactively creating a pathway for people looking for help could give the necessary guidance for people to start getting better. By having systems in place to create an unobtrusive support network for those who need it and investing in current employees mental health productivity will ultimately increase and you will not have to loose valuable team members.
It is well documented that people with diagnosed mental health issues can work effectively and easily within a supportive and flexible environment. Stigma can be reduced by raising awareness of mental health issues and signposting the way to get any necessary help in your workplace. If a problem has been identified with one of your team and they need mental health care, it is much better to get them help quickly and discreetly rather than to ignore the problem – after all, you wouldn't let somebody continue as normal with a untreated broken leg in the office. The help needed may be as simple as somebody to talk to, but for more complex problems, there are solutions which allow treatment to take place whilst at work.
If you identify a team member who may have an emerging mental health issue, discretion and a willingness to help them are key. For more information on how to help a colleague and identify problems, the Mental Health Foundation has some useful guides to start with.
This year, Mental Health Awareness week aims to highlight the impact that physical activities can have on mental health and general wellbeing. For more information about activities taking place this week visit: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
PsychologyOnline
PsychologyOnline is a Cambridge based company providing live online confidential therapy nationally to both NHS services and private individuals or companies. The convenience and flexibility of the service makes therapy accessible to those who may not have had time before – sessions can be after working hours, at the weekend or fitted into the working day. There is no need to travel as appointments take place in a secure online meeting room accessed from any computer with an internet connection.
Once you activate your online account you will be assigned a therapist and you can start therapy within a few days. You will assigned one of our team of experienced Chartered Psychologists and accredited Psychotherapists for the duration of your treatment.
PsychologyOnline is an appropriate treatment method for issues such as anxiety, bereavement, child and family issues, depression, drug and alcohol misuse, eating disorders, managing anger, managing pain, OCD, panic, phobias, post-traumatic stress, relationships, sexual difficulties, stress management and terminal illness.
We are available to provide either individuals or businesses with mental health treatment with great discretion and at the user’s convenience. If your business would like to discuss cover for employees as part of a benefits package, please contact Stephanie Ruskin at s.ruskin@psychologyonline.co.uk.
If you have any other questions about our service and what it can do for you then please contact us at info@psychologyonline.co.uk.
(1) The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report, 2001
(2) Mind, www.mind.org.uk
(3) Equality and Human Rights Commission, 'Mental Health and the workplace, 2010'
(4) Equality and Human Rights Commission, 'Mental Health and the workplace, 2010'
(5) Mind, www.mind.org.uk
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