Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace

With this week’s focus on mental health awareness, it is worth remembering that just one in four people who have had a mental health problem for more than a year are in work. In contrast, four out of five non-disabled people are working, as are half of all disabled people as defined by the Equality Act.

Research by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) discovered that those with depression or anxiety are least likely to find work or to stay in meaningful jobs, with just 45% of those suffering with either of these conditions for more than a year, being in work.

Mental Health awareness charities have called on employers to take action to support staff with mental health problems, including making reasonable accommodations to help them carry out their job, and to consult with affected employees to find out what changes would most benefit them. Often it’s relatively small adjustments, such as flexible working or counselling, that are needed to make a difference to people managing mental health issues at work.