One in six workers are struggling with mental health issues, a new report suggests.
Around 15% of those in work in England have symptoms of a mental health problem, according to a major review into mental health in the workplace.
Meanwhile people with mental health problems are losing their jobs at double the rate of people without such conditions, according to the Government-commissioned review.
The independent review – conducted by Paul Farmer, the chief executive of the mental health charity Mind, and Lord Stevenson, the former chairman of HBOS – estimated that around 300,000 people with a long-term mental health condition lose their jobs every year.
Around 15% of those in work in England have symptoms of a mental health problem, according to a major review into mental health in the workplace (stock photo)
Analysis by Deloitte for the review suggests that mental ill health costs employers up to £42 billion every year.
Half of this is accounted for by so-called presenteeism – when individuals are in work but are less productive due to poor mental health – with additional costs from sickness absence and staff turnover.
Costs associated with poor mental health for the Government are up to £27 billion a year, this includes costs for providing benefits, falls in tax revenue and costs to the NHS.
The annual cost to the UK economy has been estimated as up to £99 billion.
The review highlights that for every £1 spent on investing in Mental Health in the workplace, there was an average £4.20 return.
Prime Minister Theresa May commissioned the Stevenson/ Farmer review at the start of the year.
The pair made 40 recommendations for employers, government and regulators.
The reviewers called on all employers, regardless of size or industry, to adopt six ‘mental health core standards’ to enhance workplace mental health.
These include making a mental health at work plan, enhancing awareness among workers, encouraging conversations on the subject and routinely monitoring employee mental health and wellbeing.
Costs associated with poor mental health for the Government are up to £27 billion a year, this includes costs for providing benefits, falls in tax revenue and costs to the NHS (stock photo)
Large employers and the public sector have been challenged to go further through external reporting and designated leadership responsibility.
The Government has announced that the NHS and Civil Service, two of the country’s largest employers, will abide by the recommendations that apply to them in the report.
This means that more than two million public sector workers will receive tailored in-house mental health support.
Meanwhile, the review made a series of suggestions for Government, including making Statutory Sick Pay more flexible and encouraging the NHS to make sure mental health support was ‘accessible, high quality and fits around work’.
Officials said the Government would respond to the wider recommendations in due course.
Mr Farmer said: ‘We found that in many workplaces, mental health is still a taboo subject and that opportunities are missed to prevent poor mental health and ensure employees who may be struggling get the support they need.
‘In many instances employers simply don’t understand the crucial role they can play, or know where to go for advice and support.
‘The human cost of failing to address mental health in the workplace is clear.
‘Workplace mental health should be a priority for organisations across the UK.
‘Every employer in the UK has a responsibility to support employees with mental health problems and promote the mental wellbeing of their entire workforce.’
Lord Stevenson added: ‘In light of the demonstrable impact of poor workplace wellbeing on individuals, employers and the UK economy, we are calling on the Government to accept the recommendations in full, and to introduce the core standards in the public sector.
‘It’s time for every employer to recognise their responsibilities and affect change, so that the UK becomes a world leader in workplace wellbeing for all staff and in supporting people with mental health problems to thrive at work.’
Mrs May said: ‘I have made it a priority of this government to tackle the injustice of mental illness.
‘Vital to this is the need to have a comprehensive cross-government plan which transforms how we deal with mental illness not only in our hospitals or crisis centres but in our classrooms, shop floors and communities.
‘That’s why I commissioned this important review which starkly illustrates the cost of untreated mental illness – around 300,000 people with a long-term mental health problem are losing their jobs each year.
‘And that has a big impact on businesses which are losing up to £43 billion each year as a result.
‘So we need to take action. That’s why I am immediately asking NHS England and the Civil Service, which together employ more than two million people, to accept the recommendations that apply to them.
‘With so many of our leading businesses leading the way in this area, and reaping the rewards as a result, I am sure that the private sector will follow suit.
‘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 Prime Minister also plans to write to all Metro Mayors and key business groups to draw attention to the review and encourage them to implement the recommendations in their organisations and across their networks.