World Mental Health Day: Tuesday 10 October 2017

The theme for World Mental Health Day 2017 is:

Mental Health in the workplace

Mental Health problems in the workplace are common. At least one in 6 workers is experiencing common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

However, mental health in the workplace is often not talked about as mental health for many workplaces is still a taboo subject.

MIND research confirms that a 'culture of fear and silence around mental health' is costly to employers:

• More than one in five (21 per cent) agreed that they had called in sick to avoid work when asked how workplace stress had affected them
  
  
• 14 per cent agreed that they had resigned and 42 per cent had considered resigning when asked how workplace stress had affected them
• 30 per cent of staff disagreed with the statement ‘I would feel able to talk openly with my line manager if I was feeling stressed’
  
  
• 56 per cent of employers said they would like to do more to improve staff wellbeing but don't feel they have the right training or guidance.

(Source MIND 2013)

Mental health issues have been shown to increase employee absenteeism, lower rates of productivity and increased costs.

This year’s World Mental Health Day campaign will contribute to taking mental health out of the shadows in the work place so that people and companies have the tools to help employees and increase the overall mental wellbeing of their workforce.

Looking after yourself

Top Tips for staying well at work:

The Royal College of Psychiatrists advised that:  

'there is compelling evidence that paid or unpaid work can help your physical and mental health and wellbeing.Starting work, staying in work or returning to work after a period of mental ill-health can be difficult.'

There is a wealth of information available to help make this easier.

To find out about some of the guidance and practical tools available visit the Royal College of Psychiatrists' webpage for more information.

Looking after your staff

There is access to a number of different options available for further guidance:

• Isle of Man Workplace Wellbeing kit
  
  
• Mental Health Foundation: Managing Mental Health in the Workplace
  
  
• Line Managers' Resource is a practical guide to managing and supporting people with mental health problems in the workplace

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