One in four people are affected by mental health in UK each year and 1 in 6 people report experiencing either anxiety or depression. This can have a detrimental impact on employees and running of a business, so it is important to be able to recognise poor mental health in a workplace. According to The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, “less than one in three organisations (32%) train line managers to support their direct reports with poor mental health.” This is not a significant enough number of organisations, considering poor mental health is increasing and is the “primary cause of long-term sickness absence … for more than 22% of UK organisations”. A survey was carried out of over 44,000 employees and less than half of those employees (42%), felt as though their manager would be able to spot whether they were struggling with poor mental health.
As managers, we know this can be a huge responsibility and you’re probably wondering 
how I do even approach this?
Thankfully, CIPD & Mind have designed a free guide that will help educate managers on managing mental health. Giving them the resources and tools needed to “effectively and confidently” support those who suffer with mental health at work. The ability to offer support in the early stages, can have a tremendously positive impact on the employee but managers must be trained not only to spot the signs but to provide the appropriate and intervention.
Muller-Heyndyk confirms that the new guide cautiously follows the government’s ‘Thriving at work’ employment review. It has stated that it can cost employers £17b – £26b a year, due to ‘presenteeism’.
I’m sure you wouldn’t want your staff severely unhappy and only present because they feel as though they have no choice.
Rachel Suff (senior employee relations adviser at CIPD) says that it is important managers are invested in their employee’s wellbeing, as they are the first port of call for their employees. Managers may be reluctant to talk about mental health but staying silent can make the situation worse. It is important that managers do not shy aware from mental health. Ensuring that they are proactive in promoting good wellbeing at work.
The guide that has been put together by Mind & CIPD (Mental Health at Work Guide), will hopefully contribute to having positive impact on mental health in a workplace. Giving managers the confidence to effectively support their employees.
Written by: Shakeila Morrison, Business Development Manager, DOHR
