A new initiative encouraging employers to improve the way they deal with mental health in the workplace has been launched by Health Minister Rosie Winterton to mark World Mental Health Day.
The three year initiative, called 'Action on Stigma', urges employers to sign up to a set of anti-stigma principles - for example, demonstrating that they have made changes in their work environment and employment practices to ensure that people with mental health problems are treated fairly and equally with others.
To mark World Mental Health Day, the Department of Health today published a document setting out these principles, highlighting existing best practice and the vision for the 'Action on Stigma' initiative. It also announced the start of a listening exercise to find out the views of employers and what support they will need to meet these principles.
Many employers who have taken part in projects to make their workplace culture more 'mental health friendly' have reported reduced staff turnover and sickness absences. Despite this:
Only about 20% of people with severe mental health problems are employed, compared to 65% of people with physical health problems and 75% for the whole adult population
Even for people with more common types of mental illness, such as depression, only about half are competitively employed
However, people with mental health problems have the highest 'want to work rate' with up to 90% wanting to work, compared to 52% for disabled people generally.
Although some of the principles are voluntary, adopting them will help public sector organisations, including local councils, government departments and hospitals, to meet the requirements of a new duty under the Disability Discrimination Act which comes into force in December 2006. This will require them to set out precisely how they intend to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote equality of opportunity.
Speaking at a visit to a programme run by Oxleas Mental Health Trust in South East London to encourage businesses to employ people with mental health problems, Rosie Winterton said: "There is no better time than World Mental Health day to remind people that one in four of us will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in our lives and the cost to business and society is substantial. Ignorance and stigma still surrounds the issue of mental ill-health and when someone does develop a problem, they often do not get the support they need from society to help them recover. We all have a role to play in helping to tackle this issue. Employers can help by raising awareness of mental health issues amongst staff, supporting those affected and combating discrimination against staff and customers. This is good for staff and good for employers, who we know will benefit from reduced staff turnover and sickness absences. I am delighted to launch this new initiative and I urge employers to take the problem of mental health in the workplace seriously. We want employers to own this initiative and so we intend to spend the next few months listening to businesses about the support they need and discussing the set of principles we are proposing. Our priority must be to get our own house in order, so the first target of this drive will be the NHS and other public service organisations."
Service user Emma Lindley, 27, of Manchester, said she was "ostracised" after she being off sick from an adminstrative job at a college of higher education for two months while being treated for bipolar disorder.
She added: "Some colleagues avoided me and dropped their eyes rather than have to greet me. Others began to patronise me even though they had always given me professional respect previously. People talked about me as though I wasn't there or fell out with me for no reason. I began applying for jobs very soon after returning because of the way I was treated. I left the post a few months later."
Department of Work and Pensions Minister, Lord Hunt, said: "Work is important and beneficial to our physical and mental well-being. Because of this, it is essential that we remove the barriers that prevent people starting, returning to, or remaining in work. I welcome this initiative, which will make an important contribution to the Government's strategy to improve health and well-being of the working age population."
Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission said: "I fully support the 'Action on Stigma' campaign. It's important that our organisations raise awareness of mental health issues amongst our staff and we support those affected. Being 'mental health friendly' is good for our businesses, helps our employees and customers and improves the health and wellbeing of all."
Hugh Taylor, Acting Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health, said: "Mental ill-health has an impact on both individuals and the organisations that employ them. We have a key role to play, by creating a work culture where staff are more aware of causes of mental illness, are not scared to ask for help and where discrimination is deemed unacceptable. I welcome this initiative and look forward to seeing how the Department of Health can, as an employer, play its part."
David Nicholson CBE, NHS Chief Executive, said:"People with mental health problems are often excluded from jobs, public services and playing a full part in our communities. The NHS is already doing a lot to increase social inclusion, promote mental wellbeing and support patients into employment. I welcome this initiative which will build on this good work and urge NHS organisations to get involved in changing the way we deal with mental health in the workplace."
The document is available on shift.uk/employment
In Scotland, the national anti-stigma campaign, 'see me', was launched in October 2002. It is run by five mental health organisations and is funded by the Scottish Executive. For further information, contact Katrina Beaton or Rebecca Charles at IAS Smarts on 0131 555 0425
For further information please go to:
UK Department of Health
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