1st February is Time to Talk day, we are all encouraged to open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives.
1 in 4 of us will experience mental health problems and with mental health problems at work costing the UK economy £34.9bn last year (Centre for Mental Health).
Mind have pulled together this helpful guide to support staff who are experiencing a mental health problem.
Right now 1 in 6 workers is dealing with a mental health problem such as anxiety, depression, or stress. This can stop people performing at their best.
Organisations perform better when their staff are healthy, motivated, and focused. Smart employers support employees who are experiencing mental health problems to cope and recover. The support people receive from employers is key in determining how well and how quickly they are able to get back to peak performance.
This guide covers:
- How to create a culture that supports staff to be open about their mental health
- How to have a conversation with someone about their mental health
- How to support someone experiencing a mental health problem
- How to manage an employee’s time off sick and their return to work
Access To Work
Access to Work can provide advice and support to help people with a disability, mental health or physical health condition start or stay in work.
It can help with:
- special equipment or adaptations
- fares to work for those who can’t use public transport
- a support worker or job coach to help in the workplace
- a Mental Health Support Service for people who are experiencing difficulties with their mental wellbeing in the workplace
- disability awareness training for work colleagues
- a communicator at a job interview or in the workplace
- the cost of moving equipment following a change in location or job
- help and advice for employers to retain and employ staff
Find out more about Access to Work and the Workplace Mental Health Support Service below.
Workplace Mental Health Support Service
Access To Work Workplace Mental Health Support Service
This article was published on 31st January 2018.
This article was updated on 22nd December 2021.