Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health problems each year. In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week.
There is still stigma attached to mental health problems. This means that people feel uncomfortable about them and don't talk about them much. Many people don't even feel comfortable talking about their feelings. But it's healthy to know and say how you're feeling. What is slowly starting to happen is people are getting better at talking about their concerns or spotting the signs. But there is a lot more work to do.
World Health Day gives employers an opportunity to raise the profile of mental health and ensure everyone takes care of their own mental health and reminding staff in the words of BT "it's good to talk".
Addressing mental health in the work place will be an ongoing agenda item. To make positive steps to promote a positive work place that have engaged motivated staff who are open and willing to discuss mental health can start with addressing absences and conducting return to work interviews along side training staff to handle difficult conversations. We can help your business with his by providing support and guidance for your front line staff to start making positive changes, empowering and supporting staff who might be experiencing mental health concerns.
My name is Simone and I am one of the HR Advisors here at Keeping HR Simple. I am on a mission to keep HR simple by always presenting clear and concise advice to our clients and business owners who need our help. If you have a HR challenge I am on hand to support you through to a result that is right for your business.
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