Hello and welcome to Workability Solutions! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s been on everyone’s mind lately: mental health at work. While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly brought this issue to the forefront, it’s important to understand that mental health challenges in the workplace are not a new phenomenon. In fact, they’ve been a significant concern for years, as highlighted in the 2017 Stevenson/Farmer review on mental health and employers [1].

A Long-Standing Issue

The Stevenson/Farmer review, commissioned by the UK government, revealed that the UK has been facing a mental health challenge at work that is much larger than previously thought. The review found that poor mental health costs UK employers between £33 billion and £42 billion each year, with over half of these costs coming from presenteeism—when employees are less productive due to poor mental health. This is not just a financial issue but a human one, affecting the lives of many individuals and their families.

The Human Cost

“A philosophical question: if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? And if a woman who’s wholly alone occasionally talks to a pot plant, is she certifiable? I think that it is perfectly normal to talk to oneself occasionally. It’s not as though I’m expecting a reply. I’m fully aware that Polly is a houseplant.” [2]

Mental health problems at work can manifest in various ways, from anxiety and depression to more severe conditions.

Around 15% of people at work have symptoms of an existing mental health condition. The ultimate human cost is the loss of life through suicide, with certain industries showing higher rates of poor mental health and suicide.

“I simply didn’t know how to make things better. I could not solve the puzzle of me.“  [2]

The Role of Employers

Employers play a crucial role in supporting the mental health of their employees. The Stevenson/Farmer review set out a number of mental health core standards that can be adopted across all workplaces at little or no cost. These include producing and communicating a mental health at work plan, developing mental health awareness among employees, and encouraging open conversations about mental health.

The Importance of Good Work

Good work is essential for mental health. The review emphasized that employees in all types of employment should have “good work,” which contributes positively to their mental health, our society, and our economy. This means providing employees with good working conditions, ensuring they have a healthy work-life balance, and offering opportunities for development.

Moving Forward

The vision set out in the Stevenson/Farmer review is that in ten years’ time, employees in all types of employment would have:

• ‘good work‘ that contributes positively to their mental health
• the knowledge, tools and confidence to understand and look after their own mental health and the mental health of those around them

All organisations, regardless of size, will be equipped with the awareness and tools to not only address but prevent mental ill-health caused or worsened by work.

Conclusion

“It turned out that if you saw the same person with some degree of regularity, then the conversation was immediately pleasant and comfortable—you could pick up where you left off, as it were, rather than having to start afresh each time.” (Honeyman, 2017)

While the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly highlighted the importance of mental health at work, it’s crucial to remember that this is not a new issue. The Stevenson/Farmer review from 2017 provides a comprehensive framework for improving mental health in the workplace, and it’s up to all of us—employers, employees, and policymakers—to ensure that we continue to make progress in this vital area.

Check out our proactive wellbeing services, so we can work together to make the workplace a safe space for regular interactions.

Thank you for visiting Workability Solutions.