For many of us, the workplace is an important part of our lives. We spend a significant amount of time in the working environment, it is how we can afford to put food on the table and it’s where we meet many of our friends. But for some individuals who suffer with mental illnesses, such as depression or anxiety, going to work can be less than thrilling.
Mental illnesses are impacting the daily lives of individuals globally and mental illnesses are among the biggest contributors of disease and disability. According to Ibid, of the ten most prominent areas of disability and disease, mental health problems make up five of them. Mental illnesses do not discriminate and can affect anyone, no matter their age, gender, or social class. It is also just as prevalent in rich western countries as it is in low-income countries. According to estimates from the United Kingdom Department of Health and the Confederation of British Industry, 15-30% of workers will encounter problems with their mental health at some time in their career.
With the significant percentage of workers that could suffer with their mental health at some point in their working life, you may ask, and quite rightly, how can employers help their workers who are suffering with mental illnesses?
Provide Awareness
Well, the first and arguably the most important way that workplaces can help their staff with mental illnesses, is by providing awareness throughout the whole workplace on mental health and wellbeing. This could be accomplished by introducing workshops, seminars, or one-to-ones with managers, where workers are openly encouraged to discuss their feelings. There is a plethora of creative ways that workplaces can generate awareness. When people feel like they can discuss their mental health concerns without judgement, they are much more likely to reach out for help.
Provide Adjustments
Another way that employers can help their workforce with mental illnesses is by providing workplace adjustments to their employees normal working practices, create more of a level playing field compared to their peers. An example could involve introducing a flexible working pattern, which would allow employees the flexibility to attend GP or hospital appointments if and when required and for employees dealing with eating disorders, to be excused from attending work functions and meetings that may involve eating around others, as this could be a cause of anxiety for anyone living with this disorder.
So, what can be done to help prevent mental illness in the workplace?
Treat Everyone Equally
Environments where some workers are given preferential treatment and others are treated unequally or when they feel excluded or marginalised, this is likely to have a negative impact on individuals mental health. Managers and colleagues alike should be taught to treat all workers fairly and not discriminate against someone because of their age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, or their gender reassignment, whether they are married, in a civil partnership, or pregnant, this is in accordance with the Equality Act of 2010. The workplace should be diverse and inclusive.
Create A Positive Work Environment
Employers should ensure that when an employee does a good job, they are rewarded accordingly, this creates a healthy work environment where workers feel their achievements are being recognised and feel valued and when an employee does make a mistake, constructive criticism is a superior option than being reprimanded.
Workplaces should allow individuals to flourish and reach their full potential, mental illnesses can hinder this, therefore workplaces have a duty of care to create this environment, because happy workers are productive workers.
