All employees also have access to our Employee Assistance Programme which provides employees with confidential counselling and support. What we can tell you is that keyword searches for terms related to mental health and work-place mental health is higher now than it has been over the last decade. Ask employees how theyre going. Mental health problems can have a lot of different symptoms and signs. Staying connected to work can be helpful during recovery. For example, its a good idea to talk to the employee to find out what support they might need at work. You should never have to deal with problems alone. Plus, you could listen to some motivational podcasts, or chat to a loved one while youre at it. While this is true in itself, I still firmly believe it is possible to protect and support employees from an environment so pressurised that they go under. Relaxation can help when youre feeling stressed or worried. You might not be talking about it, because mental health first aid in the workplace is still a taboo subject. And its important that youve got plenty of pills. We're not trained medical professionals here at Save the Student, so PLEASE SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR LOCAL GP for a professional diagnosis. Having a disorder doesn't have to stop you finishing your degree. The impact of mental health problems in the workplace has serious consequences not only for the individual but also for the productivity of a company. We dont encourage long hours or weekend work. Any leader who fails to acknowledge the psychological impact of being in lockdown or quarantined at home, will be letting their staff down. Discussing dealing with depression at work can be a good way to alleviate a difficult situation. As the largest public sector employer in the UK, the NHS can make a significant contribution to combating discrimination against people with mental health problems, not only benefiting the individuals concerned, but also having a positive impact on the diversity of the workforce and the experience the NHS is able to offer patients. I have never seen an accident report that said workplace stress was the root cause. Staying at home for a long period of time can lead to frustration, boredom or loneliness. It doesnt have to be something big, but a positive gesture every day will keep you feeling pleased that you added value to someone elses day. Young people from families receiving UC and other benefits where the DWP in force stringent rules and procedures which only worsens the mental heatlth of parents and their children. These types of actions may only seem like small things but they do greatly hep boost morale and add to making the workplace an enjoyable place to be. If you are a manager then mental health in the workplace is a subject that you will be aware of. HSE folks are already being overwhelmed with their core tasks of controlling safety, particularly in organizations where there are only one or two safety professionals, he said. This doesnt necessarily mean offering more annual leave, it could simply mean being more flexible with holiday processes, such as the notice needed for taking holidays. Without people on site who know about mental health, they wont get the support they need. It affects our ability to work and have healthy relationships. While use of these tools has allowed employees to maintain output and engagement levels, remote working for some may have resulted in longer working hours and blurring the boundaries between professional and personal lives. Whats perhaps just as concerning, however, is that less than one-third of respondents said theyve had managers recognize a mental health issue, while twice as many have received comments or feedback from friends and family. Recent reports have discovered a crisis around managing and supporting mental health at work today. You may opt out of receiving communications at any time. Decisions around staying at work or taking time off are influenced by many different factors, including the nature and severity of the illness and how the illness affects your abilities to work. Mental health has been shown to affect physical health in various ways. Investing in mental health initiatives for leaders and employees of an organization can help in several ways. When this happens, stress not only creates debilitating negative emotions, but it also results in lower productivity, the inability to concentrate on work and strained relationships with colleagues. It is available to support your internal communications activity and will be updated regularly by the Good Thinking team. Whether you work with 10 people, 10000 people or just yourself, paying attention to workplace mental health has never been more important. The case for taking a positive approach to employee wellbeing is clear. While men are more likely to take their own lives, women are more likely to suffer from a mental health condition. Having regular meetings to monitor employee progression and well-being is key. One thing that makes a big difference in the workplace is making time for team, for belonging. Maintaining healthy relationships with people we trust is important. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University also found that mindful meditation can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain. Looking after workplace wellbeing initiatives can sometimes be quite difficult. Managers need to understand that every employee is different. Because if an employer does that, theyre showing you that they dont care enough about your mental health to make a change. It can also lead to an increased use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs as a way of coping. Remember to take care of yourself too while you're looking out for your friends. Childrens sense of security comes largely from their parents so explain calmly to them what is happening and let them know that youre there for them. With so much change and uncertainty, it is understandable that you may be feeling a little worried, low, or stressed. Focusing on feelings that make you feel happy, and what you can do to remain positive. Mental health problems can happen to anyone. However, in the majority of cases, supportive performance management can be the key to continued productivity.