Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental health matters and is especially important in the working environment.
As an employer, you hold a duty of care to all of your employees. By making mental health a priority in your organisation, you will benefit both your staff and your business.
Why Mental Health at Work Matters
On average, a person spends five days a week at work, which equates to a third of the average lifespan. Taking this into account, it is evidently important for people to feel comfortable, safe, and experience good mental wellbeing whilst in the working environment.
Approximately 15% of people experience mental health problems in the workplace in the UK.
It can be hard for someone to navigate improving their mental health and wellbeing, especially because mental wellbeing is completely unique to every individual.
With mental health issues on the rise in the UK, there has never been a more important time to put this at the forefront of your organisation.
Mental Health at Work: Statistics and Facts
It should be no surprise that people who experience poor mental health whilst in the working environment have a negative effect on your organisation.
- Evidence suggests that 12.7% of all sickness can be attributed to mental health conditions.
- 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety.
- Employees experiencing poor mental health are less productive and happy employees are 13% more productive, on average.
- 1 in 3 employees still feel that mental health support is inadequate and would like more support from their employer.
- Nearly half of employees say their mental wellness declined in 2023, and 28% said they are miserable in their workplace.
- Only 13% of employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health issues with colleagues. source: Mental Health Foundation
Unsurprisingly, if your people are experiencing poor mental wellbeing and don’t have sufficient access to the right kind of support your organisation can face significant challenges.
Supporting mental health at work
Keeping your workforce happy and healthy is substantially beneficial not only for the staff but also for your organisation.
For the organisation:
- Decreases absence leave
- Increases productivity
- Happier and healthier workforce
- Better staff retention
- Workplace becomes more enjoyable for all
For your colleagues:
- Improved confidence
- Increased self-esteem
- Better decision making
- Happier and healthier overall
How to improve mental health in the workplace
Health Assured offers the Assistance Programme which promotes and encourages your people to have better mental wellbeing.
Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is a valuable resource that aims to support and enhance the mental health of your people.
It is a complete resource, accessible 24/ 7, including bank holidays. You will have access to empathetic and compassionate support over the phone, in person or online with one of our trained counsellors.
Counsellors will support your people through life challenges by giving them different perspectives and encouraging healthy behaviours and activities.
Health Assured also offers Mental health first aid courses aiming to help you and your people identify those who need further mental health support, when someone is at risk, and ways to take action when needed.
By providing an Employee Assistance Programme for your people you support them to live up to their full potential which subsequently allows your organisation to thrive.
Discover how an EAP can help your organisation
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is designed to help your staff deal with personal problems which may affect their work performance. To find out more please feel free to contact us directly 0800 206 2552 or request a callback below.
Better mental health support, better business success
Backed by brands that trust us
Welsh Ambulance NHS Service Trust has used Health Assured as it’s EAP for the past 2 years and the service has been extremely well received by our staff. We were given support from day 1 with communications, leaflets, manager guides to promote the service which has been very helpful.
Ceri Bryant |Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service Manager