Mental health 'next big workplace issue'

6th December 2006

Employers should ensure that staff can recognise mental distress...

The mental health of employees will be the next big workplace issue for employers, the government’s mental health czar has told People Management.

But the government will be providing guidance rather than “haranguing people into compliance”, Louis Appleby said.
 
The government is currently consulting with employers on its Action on Stigma initiative, which provides six “anti-stigma” principles to help companies tackle mental health in the workplace.

“It’s becoming accepted that more people are going to face more challenges in relation to mental health,” Appleby said.

“But there is a long way to go as a society until we are entirely supportive of mental health. The government’s role is about providing guidance for employers on this issue.”

Appleby said the consultation so far had revealed that employers wanted information and access to training on mental health issues. “We are looking at whether we will provide that training,” he added.

The government is seeking responses to Action on Stigma, to be given before 31 December.

• www.shift.org.uk/employment

Six anti-stigma policies for employers

1. Ensure staff are aware of ways to preserve their mental well-being.

2. Promote a culture of respect and dignity for all, ensuring that staff are trained to recognise mental distress.

3. Encourage awareness of mental health issues.

4. Demonstrate that no one is refused employment on the grounds of mental illness or disability.

5. Make reasonable adjustments to the work environment for people with mental health problems.

6. Take steps to ensure that people with mental health problems are not disadvantaged in terms of available services.

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