Mental conditions
An estimated 1 in 6 adults report experiencing symptoms of
common mental health problems, including stress, anxiety, and depression, in any
given week in England. Focusing on mental health in the workplace, 822,000
people suffered from common mental health problems due to their employment in
2020/21 and an estimated 300,000 people with mental health problems lose their
jobs each year.Creating an understanding, inclusive and open company culture can help support employee mental health. In addition, offering flexibility, investing in training and implementing mental health policies and benefits can all make a positive difference.
Mental health problems can affect employees and employers in a number of ways, including:
Signs of mental health problems
These can include changes in mood, behavior, or work performance, as well as increased sickness absence. Other signs include appearing tired, anxious, or withdrawn, or having trouble concentrating.
Risks to mental health
These can be related to the job, the workplace, or career development opportunities. Some examples include understaffing, long hours, or an unsupportive organizational culture.
Employers' responsibilities
Employers have a legal duty to assess the risk of stress-related ill health at work. They should also take mental health problems seriously and make reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities.
Supporting employees
When supporting an employee with a mental health issue, you can:
Listen carefully to what they say
Try to identify the cause
Think about ways to help
Reassure them that you'll help them get the support they need
Exercise can also help improve mental health at work.
Stress
There is a difference between stress and pressure. We all experience pressure daily and need it to motivate us. But too much can lead to damaging stress. Statistics show that stress accounts for 40% of cases of workplace sickness in the UK.Increasing complexity is a big factor that affects the mental processes profoundly. When complexity is too much it leads to an overload and can result in a person losing their self control. This, of course leads to many different behaviours such as anger, confusion, burn-out, depression, nervous breakdown and many other conditions, even leading to psychotic episodes. The average person can hold up to 7 priorities in their medium term memory, if another proirity occurs then the list of order becomes shifted around. Usually the newest priority will replace the one at the top of the list. Thus emphasising the habit of writing things down asap.
Employees are asked to complete this part of the Workplace Wellness assessment to find out if they are experiencing too much pressure at work.
This selection of questions (3 out of 7 questions) below each require a response whereby the employee agrees with the question statement and also whether the factor is improving, staying the same or getting worse.
1 When something is going to change at work, what happens?
I have plenty of opportunity to speak to my boss about any changes at work
We're always asked about possible changes at work before they happen but don't have much involvement in how decisions are made
We aren't told about changes and I'd find it hard to speak to my boss
2 How do you get on with your boss or supervisor?
I can rely on them to help me out, encourage me and provide support
I can talk to them about something that has upset or annoyed me at work but that's about it
I don't get on with them very well and don't feel very supported
3 How do you get on with the people you work with?
My colleagues will help me and are always willing to listen to any work-related problems
I don't think my colleagues offer me much support
I get on with them ok but wouldn't discuss any problems with them
Mood self assessment questionnaire
The statistical results of these questions will appear in your Analytics page. They will be anonymous. However in the employees diary they can veiw and update the results of the questions on this page. Each of their updates will appear instantly in your Analytics page. Conversely the employee cannot see the overall statistics, only you, the employer can.This selection of questions (5 out of 7 questions) below each require a response whereby the employee agrees with the question statement and also whether the factor is improving, staying the same or getting worse.
1. Are you bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?
2. Have you had little interest or pleasure in doing things?
3. Do you have trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television?
4. Have you ever had an anxiety attack (suddenly feeling fear or panic)?
5. Do you ever become too easily annoyed or irritable?
The responses that your employee gives will indicate the level of distress and its effect on productivity. You will see the overall statistics to see how many of your precious workforce is having problems be they work relationship/communication problems and/or whether they are to do with mental/emotional stress.
How suicidal are they? Safeguarding being a primary responsibiltiy of any good employer.