How to support staff with mental health problems

The Government said a recent survey had shown that more than half of workers would be "too embarrassed" to tell their employer if they were suffering from a mental condition. This was despite the fact that eight out of ten also felt that work could help people recover from mental illness.

Ministers today called on businesses to "tackle the stigma" attached to mental health in the workplace, and launched a practical managers' guide containing advice on how to support staff.

Health and safety minister Lord McKenzie said there was still a "taboo" when it came to talking about mental illness at work.

"Fear and ignorance are the biggest barriers which stop this being brought out into the open," he said. "Many people are scared of telling their employer about their condition. And employers perhaps don't know how to handle and so avoid addressing these issues."

He added: "Legislation offers protection and we will do all we can to support businesses, but we recognise that it is the managers at the coalface who make the real difference. We know there has been a shortage of information and advice about how to handle mental illness at work, which is why we have today launched this managers' handbook."

Managers' resource

The Department for Work and Pensions claimed mental illness was increasing in the UK, and was now the fastest growing cause of absence with 13 million working days lost every year due to stress, depression, and anxiety.

Its survey also showed that the majority (80%) of workers felt employers had a responsibility to provide care and support to employees with mental health problems.

"Employers must recognise the need and benefit of facing-up to their responsibility to support their staff, or face ever increasing sick leave and loss of talent," said Lord McKenzie.

"I now call on businesses to haul this problem into the open, to connect with their staff, and hammer home to their company the benefits of addressing these issues - increased engagement and productivity, retention of talent, and reduced sick leave and recruitment costs. Investment in this area makes a huge difference on many levels."

The 'Line Managers' Resource' handbook was developed by Shift - the Government's programme to reduce the stigma and discrimination directed towards people with mental health problems.

A copy can be downloaded from the Shift website - see link above/right.