Mental Health in the Workplace

Addressing workplace mental wellbeing can help strengthen the positive, protective factors of employment, reduce risk factors for mental health and improve general health.  It can help promote the employment of people who have experienced mental health problems and support them once they are at work and there is also evidence that workplaces with high levels of mental wellbeing and a supportive management culture are more productive.

‘Quite often addressing mental health and wellbeing at work can be the ‘elephant in the room’.’ explains Kate Willcox, Lead HR Consultant at CBE Business Solutions.  ‘For many of us, work is a major part of our lives.  It is where we spend much of our time and where we get our income from.  It is often where we make our friends and have a network of support, and having a fulfilling job can be good for your mental health and wellbeing.

‘However, at times we may face stresses either in our personal lives that impact on our working lives or at work that may impact on our mental health.  Having the knowledge that our employer understands and supports a workplace mental health and wellbeing strategy is important as it enables us to have honest conversations with our employers about how we are feeling.’ Kate concludes.

For further information about Mental Health in the Workplace, have a look at this factsheet from the CIPD.