Employers are being encouraged to address the stigma of mental ill health in the workplace during Depression Awareness Week, 21-26 April 2008.
Poor mental health is the second largest cause of time lost due to sickness absence in UK organisations, with stress, depression and anxiety accounting for over 50% of mental health problems, according to research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in 2006.
What’s more, stress related absence is still on the increase and the average sickness absence for someone suffering from depression is 30 days.
Ben Wilmott, CIPD’s employee relations advisor, said: “One of the problems is that – in too many cases – individuals hide from their employer that they are suffering from mental health problems because they are concerned about their job security or their career prospects. This is counter-productive because it increases the likelihood that their condition will deteriorate to the point they have to take a long period off work or leave employment altogether.”
Wilmott said employers should clearly communicate the channels of support available: “The provision of flexible working opportunities, access to occupational health support as well as employee assistance help-lines and counselling services can help give people with mental health conditions the advice and support to help them manage or overcome their problems. Investment in such services will pay for itself through reduced absence costs.”
