Good mental health at work

WITH NATIONAL news picking up on the increase in depression amoungst the young and women the promotion of "good mental health" is even more important now than ever.   Being on a wellbeing committee at work I wanted to look at the benefits of employers having a healthy workforce that means a more productive workforce.

Mental health problems at work are common with at least one in six workers experiencing common mental health problems, including anxiety and depression.    Healthy and productive employees who are engaged with the business will deliver the best outcomes and means there is a dependency between emloyer and employee.

If you want to attract and retain committed employees, prioritising the mental health of your staff needs to be core business in your organisation.   You might not be talking about it, because mental health is still a taboo subject.   And many people feel scared and confused about confronting the issue at work.   But there are small, simple steps you can take to look after yourself and make your workplace mentally healthier.

Taking care of yourself

Mind, the mental health charity, carried out research and it confirms that a culture of fear and silence around mental health is costly to employers:

• More than one in five (21 per cent) agreed that they had called in sick to avoid work when asked how workplace stress had affected them.
• 14 per cent agreed that they had resigned and 42 per cent had considered resigning when asked how workplace stress had affected them.
• 30 per cent of staff disagreed with the statement ‘I would feel able to talk openly with my line manager if I was feeling stressed’.
• 56 per cent of employers said they would like to do more to improve staff wellbeing but don't feel they have the right training or guidance.

 Be active

Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups.   Exercise is essential for slowing age-related cognitive decline and for promoting well-being.

But it doesn’t need to be particularly intense for you to feel good - slower-paced activities, such as walking, can have the benefit of encouraging social interactions as well providing some level of exercise.   One of their top tips is to sign up to a challenge and be part of a team and this is just where Miles For Mind comes in to play.

Miles For Mind is a virtual run that encourages entrants to be as active as they can.   With 7 distances to choose from, starting at 25 miles and going up to 200 miles, you have 31 days to cover the total distance through as many runs, jogs or walks as you like.   At the end of your challenge, you simply drop us an email to say you've completed it and we'll get your Miles For Mind medal out in the post to you!

As well as the physical aspect to the month, encouragement and support is offered in abundance over on social media as fellow participants spur each other on.

As well as daily updates, runners also share their experience of how running has helped them overcome their own mental health challenges through a series of blogs that Mind host on their site.   From day to day mental challenges, to helping overcome PTSD, each story is personal to the writer, yet inspiring to others that might find themselves in a similar position.

 

Click here for BBC article on depression in young people and women.

Click here for BBC article on partents stress and depression in lockdown.

Click here for BBC article on how COVID-19 has affected mental health.