Mental health in the workplace

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a special pack of mental health information for employers and employees to mark World Mental Health Day 2017 which is today – 10 October. This year’s theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is mental health in the workplace.

Hundreds of thousands of workers will experience mental health problems during the course of a year, and absences from work due to mental health issues are thought to cost the UK economy £26 billion per year.

The College hopes that businesses, employers and employees will benefit from our award-winning information, which explain how to recognise a possible mental health problem, and how best to support those living with mental ill health.

The information covers the most common range of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and sleeping problems. There is also information on seasonal affective disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-natal depression and mental health in pregnancy, self-harm, and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

The pack also covers serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and personality disorders.

The President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Professor Wendy Burn, said: “It makes sense for businesses to look after the mental health of their employees.

“It can make a real difference if they have the right information to hand, if they can say to an employee who is experiencing a mental health issue, ‘we understand’.

“And it can make a difference if they are able to support, and are able to direct that person to the right place, where they can get the best advice and help.”

The College hopes the pack may also prove useful to organisations which have frontline staff who work with vulnerable people.

Professor Burn said: “As well as helping organisations with the duty of care they have to their own staff, we believe the packs will help businesses arm their frontline staff with the appropriate information to help them understand and support customers who may have mental health conditions.”

Employers can find details of, and order copies of, the special information pack on the College’s website at www.rcpsych.ac.uk/employers