Mental health report reveals massive cost to economy and to workers

NHS and Civil Service staff will be offered more mental health support, as a report reveals that 300,000 people with long-term mental health problems lose their jobs every year.

The Stevenson-Farmer "Thriving at Work" review – commissioned by the Prime Minister in January – says poor mental health costs employers up to £42bn a year with an annual cost to the UK economy of £99bn.

Theresa May said: "It is only by making this an everyday concern for everyone that we change the way we see mental illness so that striving to improve your mental health – whether at work or at home – is seen as just as positive as improving our physical wellbeing."

The independent review into workplace mental health has been written by Lord Dennis Stevenson and Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind and chair of the NHS Mental Health Taskforce.

Among its recommendations to the public sector and large employers:

:: Produce, implement and communicate a mental health at work plan

:: Develop mental health awareness among employees

:: Encourage open conversations about mental health and the support available when employees are struggling

:: Provide employees with good working conditions and ensure they have a healthy work life balance and opportunities for development

:: Promote effective people management through line managers and supervisors

:: Monitor employee mental health and wellbeing

Mr Farmer told Sky News: "There’s a really strong business case that shows if you invest in your people and the mental health of your staff there are huge economic benefits to be had both for employers for the public sector and the state and the economy as a whole."

Andy Woodcock used to be a high-flying salesman for a luxury car dealership.

But when he suffered anxiety and depression linked to his job, he was offered little help or support from his bosses.

He was repeatedly signed off work by his GP and was eventually made redundant.

"It made me feel very insecure, I was very very worried about raising the subject with management at the time, it just wasn’t something which was spoken about.

"Obviously I was concerned because I had bills to pay, rent to pay, like every normal person, so I daren’t raise the subject," he said.

He now works at Brentwood Community Print in Essex, a design company where staff have mental health issues. All profit is re-invested into providing support for its employees.

The report’s findings have been widely welcomed by employee and mental health groups.

Chief executive of NHS Employers Danny Mortimer said: "We welcome, on behalf of employers in the NHS, the confirmation through the evidence in the report that addressing mental health issues in the workplace is not only the morally right thing to do, but also enhances the performance of organisations."

The head of Public Health England Duncan Selbie said: "This compelling review adds to the evidence demonstrating how important it is for employers to notice mental health in the workplace. Mental health problems are the second greatest cause of workplace sickness."

(c) Sky News 2017: Mental health report reveals massive cost to economy and to workers