Increasing numbers of UK
employers are investing in ways to keep staff healthy, happy and committed
One in four of us will experience a mental illness at some point in our
lives, and the shocking statistics about mental ill health in the
workplace are impossible to ignore. The number of people who experience from
anxiety, stress and depression at work has risen from a quarter to a third over
the past five years (according to a Chartered Institute of Personnel Directors
survey), making mental illness the biggest cause of lost work days.
Highlighting the problem is clearly only the start; it’s what
happens next that’s critical. On a national level Theresa May recently
announced plans to launch an independent review into the Mental Health Act
1983, which will include examining the rising rates of mental illness at
work.
It’s a welcome, if belated, step in the right direction. Yet it’s the
workplace itself which has the power to effect real change.
Employers large and small are crucial to not only effectively
managing episodes of mental ill health when they arise, but also to preventing
them.
From allowing ‘duvet days’ to providing free fruit and lunchtime yoga
sessions, UK employers are recognising the importance of wellbeing and are
investing in ways to keep staff happy, healthy and committed.
PR agency Forster Communications has developed a
mental health toolkit to help employers build a culture in which good mental
health thrives and those who need help are supported. In the past two years,
the company has introduced a range of mental health initiatives, spanning
mindfulness, pilates and resilience training on how to manage stress and busy
workloads.
In business terms, it makes sense; researchers found that FTSE 100
businesses that used the words 'mental health' or 'wellbeing' more than twice
in their annual reports last year raked in up to three times more profit than
those that did not.
Yet Britain lags far behind America in recognising the importance of
workplace mental wellbeing. In the States there is widespread acceptance of the
value of talking through problems, and many organisations - especially those in
Silicon Valley - have whole departments dedicated to ensuring staff feel
supported.
Wellbeing is one of American software creator Salesforce's
fundamental values. As well as standing and treadmill desks, Salesforce
provides 'wellness zones' in which employees can put away their devices and
practice mindfulness. There’s also their ‘Press Pause’ speaker series, allowing
staff employees to take a break and learn something new by listening to guest
speakers, such as Zen masters.
According to a 2014 study by the UK's department for business, innovation and skills, there is a direct correlation between employee wellness and job performance, not to mention staff being less likely to miss work. So despite fewer than one in 10 (8%) of UK organisations currently have a standalone wellbeing strategy that is starting to change.
Bernardo Moya is the founder and CEO of The Best You,
a London-based brand that teaches personal development skills,which
has over 45 members of staff. “We all have days when we feel overwhelmed with
the challenges of of life, or something can happen that can send us off track,”
says Moya.
“I’ve strived to create an open environment where employees know they
can come to me with any problem and I’ll listen non-judgementally. Feeling able
to ask for help early is crucial to preventing someone reaching crisis point,
and it’s my job to reassure people who may worry that admitting to a mental
health issue will harm their career.”
The Best You is in the business of better understanding our minds and
looking after them, so it follows that Moya has the necessary skills and
resources to draw upon in order to help staff in need support. And while recognising
that serious mental illness needs specialist care, Moya encourages staff who
first experience a problem, such as anxiety, to try learning tools
which can help them cope.
“We all have an internal dialogue, and that voice can either help us or
be a negative force,” says Moya. “It can be very disruptive and limiting; you
might say things to yourself you wouldn’t dream of saying to a friend, which
can lead to anxiety.
“Understanding that this voice can be changed to a more positive,
nurturing one is central to the work we do, and I encourage my staff to explore
this. I might signpost them to an expert or put them on a course to learn the
tricks to changing how they think. It really can help them overcome limiting
beliefs and avoid them falling into a downward spiral.”
The challenge for British organisations is how to create similarly open
environments where people experiencing mental illness feel able to ask for
help. Organisations such as Acas tailor and deliver management
training on this growing sector, and many companies are now looking to train a
quota of staff in Mental Health First Aid, just as they invest
in First Aid.
By 2030 there will be approximately two million more adults in the UK
with mental health problems. There needs to be a quantum leap forward in the
structured support offered in every kind of workplace - from boardrooms to back
offices.
“Mental illness can affect anyone, and managers of organisations can
help staff to stay well,” says Moya. “Ultimately, we are the ones who choose
whether or not to prioritise our health. We know what needs to be done - we
need to do it”.
The Best You Expos take place in London on 16-17 February and in Long
Beach, California on 24-25 March 2018, featuring hundreds of speakers, coaches
and brands who are passionate about wellbeing and personal growth. For more
information visit www.bernardo-moya.com and www.thebestyouexpo.com
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