Bosses urged to 'trust the facts' about workplace mental health

If you're heading out to work struggling with feelings of stress and burnout - you're not alone.

18 million work days in the UK are lost each year because of mental health problems.

But stats show the majority of people (58%) don't feel confident talking about it.

Where's Your Head At on World Mental Health Day?

On World Mental Health Day, campaigners are calling on employers to 'trust the facts' when it comes to absenteeism, presenteeism and productivity, plus the impact it has on any given business' bottom line.

33 million workdays are lost each year to sickness and absence - with mental health a factor in more than half of those cases.

Stats also show:

• One in five members of staff struggle with managing issues of stress and pressure
• 50% of workers have experienced at least one symptom of stress or burnout in the last year
• 58% felt they couldn't share their concerns with colleagues

Natasha Devon is co-founder of the Where's Your Head At? campaign, calling for mental health first aiders to be mandatory in all UK workplaces.

She said: "We've had so many conversations with business leaders and there's an acronym that keeps coming up - ROI.

"Return on investment. Businesses want to know 'If I invest in training mental health first aiders, what will I get in return?'

"It's very hard to measure prevention. How do you prove the number of people who haven't had to take time off work because a colleague intervened in the right way at the right time?

"We're not saying mental health first aiders will fix these problems overnight, it's just a positive step in the right direction especially when you consider presenteeism, where someone is physically at work, but their mind is elsewhere and they're not as productive as they could be because of poor mental health."

Improving mental health to improve business results

Campaigners say that improving the workplace environment isn't just beneficial to employees, with employers going on to benefit from increased productivity, fewer sick days and lower employee turnover adding to an increase in sustainability and profit.

Charity CALM has built a series of tips and resources to help staff who are struggling with burnout.

CEO Simon Gunning has been telling us employers need to take action to improve the plight of its workers while also reaping the business benefits.

He said: "Think of this as a long term cultural mission that will make your workplace happier and make you happier.

"Understand that your staff want you to do this, and if you don't you're not going to be successful with them and they're not going to be successful for you.

"Trust the realities of the numbers, not your instinct if you think this is a load of silly nonsense.

"Trust the numbers. See that you are losing productivity as an employer, as people are unable to come to work.

"Trust the facts, and this is a fact."

LISTEN: Simon Gunning speaking in full to the Mental Health Monday Podcast

Simon was speaking as CALM teams up with Omaze to raise money and awareness of CALM's lifesaving services

How can businesses improve employee mental health?

Dr Jo Rick is a senior psychologist at the Health and Safety Executive.

She's been telling Clyde 1 that while she's kept across the issue of workplace for many years, it's now starting to get the recognition it needs.

She said: "We're getting so much better about writing about it, talking about it, measuring it, all of which are good positive steps to improving mental health in the workplace.

"There's still a way to go, there's more research to be done, but if you look at things like the Working Minds website there's a great free resource to give employers ideas about how to start the conversation, how to understand the types of issues they might encounter - and most importantly what kind of action to take to stop workplace issues becoming a source of stress and hitting their bottom line.

"There's not a silver bullet or the one single idea that works, it's about the exchange of ideas, the conversation with your employees and understanding what's going on in your own workplace.

"It's about developing your own ideas that brings about the best results

"It really is that simple - it's about starting the conversation."

Get support for your mental health

If you’ve been affected by the themes in this article, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has tools and resources to help you find the support you need, including a life-saving suicide prevention helpline.

Find mental health services near you by visiting the Hub of Hope

If you're a business wanting to explore improving Mental Health check out Working Minds

Find out more about the Where's Your Head At? campaign

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