Happiness at Work

The key to tackling mental health problems?

The equation seems simple; a healthy workforce equates to a happy workforce which results in a more productive and successful organisation. This is good for society and the country’s economy. However in reality the picture is bleak, suggesting that this formulae is neither being understood nor utilised.

Unfortunately, poor mental health is not uncommon in today’s society. In Britain, one in four adults will experience a diagnosable mental health problem in any one year, despite the UK being one of the richest countries in the developed world. Whilst wealth does not necessarily lead to happiness, having a good standard of living, access to free healthcare, can certainly improve a society’s wellbeing. However, not so surprisingly, 80 percent of people with a mental health problem believe that their condition is associated to work related problems. Does this imply that employers do not understand the equation mentioned above? Or are they so intent on achieving their outcomes that they choose to ignore it, not realising that the long term affects of poor mental health can be catastrophic for society. 

With one in six working Britons experiencing a mental health issue at any one time, including depression, anxiety or stress - more needs to be done to address these unsettling statistics.

In the run up to Mental Health Awareness Week (12^th – 18^th May) two significant, and timely, documents have been published; a survey by Depression Alliance revealing that a third of people struggle to cope at work due to stress/exhaustion, and a report entitled “Depression in the Workplace in Europe: new insights from business leaders", which makes the argument that employers need to be more responsible for the wellbeing of their employees and the benefits this has on the country’s economy and society as a whole.

At any one time in Britain one worker in six will be experiencing depression, anxiety or problems relating to stress. Among people who describe their mental health as poor, 80% say this is at least in part a result of problems at work

The report, which was published at the end of April, suggests that mental health problems are the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting 350 million people. More over, depression disproportionally affects adults of working ages and the financial impact on business and the economy is profound. Recent figures, from the London Schools of Economics and Political Science and King’s College London, shows that the annual cost of depression to European businesses is a staggering £77 billion. This is directly a result of lost productivity.

Presenteeism, as identified in the report, can be as detrimental to the organisation and the individual, as much as absenteeism, if not more. In the UK, it is believed that 1.5 times as much work is lost through presenteeism as absenteeism for mental health conditions. This can be attributed to two reasons; firstly, employees with depression also experience cognitive symptoms (difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness and forgetfulness) up to 94% of the time, hindering their performance in the workplace. Secondly, employees are reluctant to take time off work, even when they need to, due to fear of losing their job or demotion, which could compromise their finances. This therefore fuels their stress and can augment and prolong existing mental health conditions. 

In the UK it is argued that 1.5 times as much work is lost through presenteeism as absenteeism for mental health conditions

Time off work or reduced productivity at work can 

affect finances and push people into debt

Having a mental health problem can impact all aspects of our every day life including our relationships with family, friends and colleagues. The Depression Alliance survey which involved 1,200 people, found that 83 percent affected by a mental health problem at work also experienced isolation or loneliness. However, only half of those feeling depressed or lonely confided in a colleague, yet a large proportion who did, reported to have felt better.

Mental health problems can affect any of us, however, in spite of this, there is a widespread lack of awareness, especially in the workplace, of how to recognise the signs and support people. Colleagues and managers may not know how, or feel confident, in supporting someone with a mental health condition, and moreover may not be aware what, if any, the companies policy is on mental health. The report stated that the majority of workplaces (78% in the UK), do not have a formal mental health policy in place and would most likely benefit from reviewing how they deal with depression. Not surprisingly, many employees are reluctant to inform their managers if they know that they have a problem due to fear of facing prejudice or stigmatisation. This of course can escalate feelings of isolation.

Chief Executive of Depression Alliance, Emer O'Neill says, "Depression is the biggest mental health challenge among working-age people and often leads to considerable loneliness and isolation at work. However, many companies aren't properly equipped to manage employees who suffer from depression so providing support to these individuals in the workplace is essential”.

Who’s responsibility is it anyway?

We are all susceptible to experiencing a mental health problem. Research suggests that around 50 percent of our mental health can be attributed to our genetics and environment, but the remaining can be altered by our activities and steps we take in life to protect our mental health. With such a high percentage of mental health problems related to work (it is where we spend the majority of our adult life) more needs to done to protect the mental health and wellbeing of employees. Employers therefore should create a supportive environment that reduces the taboo around mental health, but also implement strategic health and wellbeing plans with the sole intention of protecting their workforce and providing managers and colleagues with the knowledge and tools to deal with mental health appropriately and effectively.   

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is a strong advocate of improving the health and mental wellbeing of the population, through the creation of health champions and workplace health and wellbeing champions. Our new national Level 2 Award in Mental Wellbeing qualification, seeks to equip people with practical skills they can incorporate in their every day lives to improve and protect mental health. When people have good mental health, they can lead more fulfilling lives, can solve problems and are more productive.

For more information, on the Mental Wellbeing qualification and how it can be adapted for your organisation, please contact Gina Mohajer gmohajer@rsph.org.uk.

Useful Links:

NHS Choices Helpline

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/mental-health-helplines.aspx

Depression in the Workplace: A report featuring new insights from business leaders

http://targetdepressiondotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/target-report_final.pdf

Mental Health Foundation

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Photo by Sina Bahrami

The Vicious Cycle Between Poor Mental Health and Unemployment

A recent report by the BBC titled “mentally ill people hit hard by recession” argued that between 2006 and 2010 unemployment rates for people with mental health problems rose significantly.

The news item was reporting on a research study which sought to discover whether people with mental ill health are more likely to be discriminated against both in the job market and in society.  

The study which was carried out by researchers from King’s College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, looked at data on the rates of employment and mental health problems from 27 EU countries.

The researchers focused on data derived from 2006 (prior to the 2008 economic crisis) and 2010. From both years, a consistent pattern emerged that people with mental health problems were more likely to be unemployed. Interestingly however, the study found that by 2010 the gap in unemployment rates between people with and without mental health problems had increased.

The researchers proposed that people with a mental health condition suffered more by the economic recession of 2008, and will have been more vulnerable to discrimination and unemployment. Download the published report in the peer-reviewed open access medical journal PLOS One.

Taking a deeper look

The researchers used data from two surveys: The Eurobarometer Mental Wellbeing 2006 and the Eurobarometer Mental Health 2010 survey. 30,000 citizens from 27 EU countries took part in the survey and information was collected through face to face interview.

From the 2006 and 2010 surveys it was found that compared with the general population people with mental health problems were:

1.     More likely to be female

2.     Significantly older

3.     More likely to have finished education before 20 years of age or had no formal education

4.     More likely to be unemployed/retired and unable to work

5.     Less likely to be in paid employment

The study also revealed that although females were more likely to have a mental health problem, males were more likely than females to be unemployed. In 2010 22% of men with mental health problems were unemployed compared with 14% in 2006. For women these were 17% and 12% respectively.

Interestingly, the researchers also found that in 2010 (but not in 2006) people with mental health problems were more likely to be unemployed if they lived in countries where the majority of people agreed with the statement “people with mental health problems are a danger to others”.

The (vicious) cycle

People with mental health problems are less likely to be in employment. This can however perpetuate their condition by causing them to become further isolated and anxious about their financial circumstance.

During periods of economic hardship, this may become more apparent as people with mental health problems may be more susceptible to losing their job and are unable to find a new one in a competitive labour market.

Beth Murphy, head of information at mental health charity Mind, said the findings were worrying “Losing your job is a sudden change and there can also be financial implications through loss of income, which in itself can cause anxiety”

“Specifically redundancy is known to trigger depression and suicidal thoughts”.

Conclusion:

Undeniably, the research paints a very bleak picture of the reality of people who have poor mental health. Not only do they have to live with and tackle their own mental health condition, but their problems are further heightened by the fact that they are more likely to loose their job or be unemployed.

What we have to remember is that no one is exempt from experiencing a mental health problem - it can happen to anyone of us. Statistics reveal that at least one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life, therefore, it is essential that a) society does not stigmatise/discriminate against people with mental health conditions and b) that we learn techniques on how to protect ourselves and improve our mental health and wellbeing. 

It is imperative that Governments, Local Authorities and communities ensure that they promote social participation of individuals with mental health problems (particularly during recessions) and that efforts are made to target the most vulnerable people in society. Evidence reveals that participation in meaningful activity is associated with improved self esteem and good mental health. Having strong social relationships/networks can reduce isolation and help to improve mental health and recovery as well as preventing mental health problems.

We know that improved mental health and wellbeing is associated with a range of better outcomes, from physical health to higher education achievement. Thus in a strategic attempt to improve the whole population’s mental health and wellbeing the Five Ways to Wellbeing has been developed by nef (new economics foundation) which is a set of evidence based public health messages that can be utilised by everyone.

For more information on how you can get trained to improve and protect your mental health and the community you serve click here.

Let us know what simple things you do to help improve your mental health and wellbeing?