What workplaces offer to help staff deal with mental health issues

Dr Clive Morgan explains the simple steps businesses can take to help staff with mental health problems

WORLD mental health day this year – October 10 – aims to promote “greater public awareness and understanding of mental health and mental illness”.

As a doctor working in occupational health, I advise companies about the mental and physical health of individual employees. I’m also involved in broader issues of health, safety and wellbeing in work.

A very high proportion of my patients are experiencing some kind of psychological distress or mental health condition, be it low mood, anxiety or a significant mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar.

Statistics on mental health conditions vary greatly but at least 10% of the UK population will experience clinical depression in a given year.

These people – you and I – will invariably, with appropriate support, make an excellent recovery.

My role is to keep people experiencing psychological distress and mental illness in meaningful employment. Small changes, such as a slightly later start time in the morning, some flexible working or time off for medical appointments, can often help and encourage people to remain in work or get them back to work.

Of course, people still need to be able to perform the fundamentals of their respective jobs.

This sort of reasonable adjustment can make a world of difference. Many people with mental health conditions can and are able to work, although the general view is the opposite of this.

It is this sort of false assumption about mental ill health in the workplace which has led the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Wales collaborating with major mental health organisations on the mental health is your business project.

It has been a real pleasure and privilege for me to be a part of the task group, which has produced some helpful guidance materials examining effective policy and practice and a strategy for promoting the findings to employers.

Not only is this compassionate practice but it also makes very good business sense where valued employees are concerned. An organisation introducing an effective process for its employees can reduce sickness absence and improve productivity.

The company or organisation, in turn, is also retaining skills, knowledge and experience, which can be very difficult and expensive to replace in the current economic climate.

Businesses are also required to treat employees with disabilities fairly under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005.

Fundamental to this is considering “adjustment” so an employee can do his or her job.

Legislative impetus is, however, only one part of long, continuing story and there is still a great deal of work to be done, including reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

The commission’s research shows many respondents did not want a member of their family to marry someone with mental health problems. Others thought someone with a mental health condition would not be a suitable teacher.

The reality is that most people with mental health conditions are capable of having and enjoying normal lives, including a career.

They may become unwell and need time away from work but this is exactly the same as the person with rheumatoid arthritis who may occasionally need some medical help.

Many high-profile public figures, such as Stephen Fry, have admitted in recent years to mental health problems. They are no different to anyone else.

It should be possible for nearly every one with a mental health problem to have a successful a career in their chosen field. World mental health day is the ideal opportunity to work towards erasing the stigma of mental ill health and celebrate the contribution people affected by mental ill health can make to work and society.

Not only is this good for society but there is little doubt that work is good for their health too.

Guidance and awareness raising materials can be found on the commission’s website at www.equalityhumanrights.com/yourbusiness

Dr Clive Morgan is an occupational physician

From http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2010/07/12/what-workplaces-offer-to-help-staff-deal-with-mental-health-issues-91466-26831344/