A survey conducted by the National Employee Mental Wellbeing has shown that 84% of employees have experienced physical, psychological, or behavioural symptoms of poor mental health where work was a contributing factor. 

Ciara Morrison, Head of HR and Talent at Instant Offices, has also been researching into the importance of addressing Mental Health in the workplace and how businesses can assist in promoting a healthy work-life balance, as around 91% of managers agree that their actions affect their staff’s wellbeing.

The National Employee Mental Wellbeing survey found that only 22% of managers have admitted to receiving some form of training on mental health at work, whilst 49% say that they would find it useful to receive even basic training in common mental health conditions.

Whilst 60% of board members and senior managers believe their organisation supports people with mental health issues - only 11% discussed a mental health problem with their line manager.   

Although 76% of line managers believe that employee wellbeing is ultimately their responsibility, in the case of a staff member with depression, only 68% of female managers and 58% of male managers were found to feel confident enough to respond to the issue.  

The same survey showed that 35% of employees did not approach anyone for support on the most recent occasion they experienced poor mental health and where they were concerned about a colleague’s mental health, 86% would think twice before offering to help. 

Sadly, it was found that 9% of employees who experienced symptoms of poor mental health experienced disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

A new research from the Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions states that workplace mental health and wellbeing is at a tipping point and the report is designed as a call to action for employers - whatever their current performance regarding mental health and wellbeing strategies.

According to Deloitte, mental ill-health is one of the leading causes of absence from work in the UK with one in every six employees suffering from mental health issues – stress, anxiety and reduced focus also taking a toll on relationships and physical health.

Their findings show that:

• progress towards greater awareness and recognition of mental health is occurring at a slower rate in the workplace compared to in public spaces more generally;
• costs associated with poor mental health and well-being result from absence costs, from presence and turnover costs - as well as from staff that are not fully enthusiastic and engaged due to low mental wellbeing;
•  greater public awareness, increasing political attention and an increased emphasis on employer responsibilities are driving an increased interest in workplace mental health and wellbeing.

Amongst the suggestions Deloitte make to employers are to get workplace mental health on their agenda and to encourage employees to support colleagues.  At present, it was found that employers failed to see mental health and wellbeing as a priority.