Most businesses nowadays realise how important it is to train their employees in mental health. In this article we’re going to look at why it's so important for any organisation that truly cares about their employees’ wellbeing and job satisfaction.
Mental Health in Work Statistics
Statistics can show us how common mental health issues are within the workplace. These were taken from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE. Summary statistics for Great Britain 2017/2018):
- 595,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression or anxiety
- 239,000 workers suffered from a new case of work-related stress, depression or anxiety
- 15.4 million working days lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety
- Working days lost due to stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 57% of all working days lost due to ill health
- The main cause of work-related stress, depression or anxiety was due to peoples ‘workload’, accounting for 44% of all cases
Legislation & Guidance Around Mental Health
There are many pieces of legislation and guidance acknowledging that mental health is something that needs to be taken seriously by employers, these include:
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Mental Health Act 1983
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Equality Act 2010
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Data Protection Act 2018
Why is Mental Health training important for businesses?
There are so many factors in a workplace which can have a real impact on an employee’s mental health, these include, but are not limited to:
- Unmanageable workloads, long hours and increasing pressures
- Lack of control over work and poor supervision from management
- Bullying, stigmatisation and bad relationships with peers
- Traumatic experiences
- Lack of involvement when the workplace is undergoing change
- Inadequate pay, problems receiving pay and lack of reward and recognition
- Dangerous or poor physical working environments
Some of these factors can be eliminated or reduced to great effect, but it is vital that employees understand how others can be impacted – in doing so, they’ll understand how best they can help.
Mental Health training can help both individuals and businesses as a whole, and the benefits are clear:
For individuals, it can mean;
- Reduced risk of depression,
- Increased self-esteem,
- Reduced anxiety,
- Improved moods,
- Clearer thinking,
- Improvements in relationships,
- A greater sense of calm.
For businesses, it can mean;
- Reduced business costs
- Reduced absence & staff turnover
- Enhanced reputation
- Improved productivity, teamwork and morale
- Increased awareness of mental health
- The business being more attractive to new job talent
How can we build a positive mental health culture in our business?
We've seen that good mental health and wellbeing is crucial to any business.
Here are some steps that can be taken to build a positive culture:
- Develop a mental health action plan and policy
- Provide mental health training across the organisation
- Adjust job roles to accommodate new responsibility
- Publicise the organisation’s commitment to mental health
- Evaluate the possible causes of mental ill-health in the workplace and signify areas which need improvement
- Ensuring employers and senior management spend more time communicating and getting to know employees
- Monitoring employee performance and providing recognition and reward for achievements
- Introducing networks, initiatives and activities involving mental health and communicating this via the company’s intranet, news bulletins and workplace communal areas
- Health services, return to work schemes and allowing flexible working hours to help employees meet personal responsibilities
- Involving employees in decision making
What is the impact of a positive mental health culture in a business?
- Increased awareness of mental health
- Staff more likely to disclose their problems
- Improved productivity, team work and staff morale
- Attracting new job talent
- Enhanced business reputation
- Reduced absence and staff turnover
- Reduced business costs
How Can Whitaker Training Help your Business?
Here are Whitaker Training we focus solely on mental health, specialising in assisting businesses with the most informative training and support possible.
Our most popular mental health courses for businesses include:
- First Aid for Mental Health – Levels 1, 2 & 3 (Ofqual regulated)
- Mental Health Awareness & Resilience
- Understanding Bereavement & Grief
- Bespoke Mental Health Training to match your exact business requirements
See all our mental health training here - https://www.whitakertraining.co.uk/mentalhealthtraining
To arrange a free no-obligation training consultation please go to https://www.whitakertraining.co.uk/contact
Alternatively, you can contact us on info@whitakertraining.co.uk/ 07470111303
Thanks for reading this article – please reach out to let us know how this blog has helped you to look after your employee’s mental health.
