Brits unaware of who to talk to about mental health issues
The survey, carried out by corporate health insurance provider Westfield Health who polled nearly 2,000 employees, found that 30% did not know who to talk to or where to turn when they needed support with mental health difficulties. 38% admitted to finding it difficult to talk about their issues, whilst 20% believed colleagues' attitudes towards them changed when they returned to work following a mental health-related absence.
More needs to be done
Mark Witte, senior consultant at Aon Employee Benefits, said: "The last few weeks has seen the issue of mental health thrust into the forefront of the socio-political arena. An NHS England Task Force suggested that three–quarters of people with mental health problems receive no help at all and has led to David Cameron admitting that not enough has been done to end the stigma of mental health."
In addition, the survey also showed:
- 32 per cent felt they were treated differently after a mental health-related absence
- 25 per cent felt 'weak' after disclosing a mental health illness.
Speaking about the research, Dave Capper, executive director, commercial at Westfield Health, commented that although people are more open about mental health in general, improvements still needed to be made.
More than half of Brits have mental health problem at some point
The research comes shortly after a survey released by Canada Life Group Insurance in December which found that 57% of Brits were identified as having a mental health problem at some point during the course of their employment.
Witte added: "Recent studies show that mental health issues are responsible for as many as a quarter of lost working days and around a third of income protection claims. It's important therefore for employers to offer a targeted strategy, to help educate and support employees and managers, to hopefully reduce the need for extended care in the first place."
This article was provided by Aon Employee Benefits.
