Life InsuranceOct 17 2014

Mental health support in the workplace urged: study

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More than 50 per cent of people in the workplace are not supported by their managers to discuss the possibility of poor mental health, research from Friends Life has found.

In a survey among employees - many of whom do not have access to workplace income protection or critical illness cover - some 40 per cent said they have experienced stress, anxiety or depression and not told their employer.

According to Friends Life, more than 50 per cent of all workers believe being open about a common mental health problem would damage their career prospects.

Friends Life also examined the causes of stress in the workplace. The most common answer was excessive workload, followed by frustration with poor management and working long hours.

Andy Briggs, group chief executive of Friends Life, said: “These statistics paint a worrying picture of a culture of silence when it comes to mental health. Our research shows that there is still much to be done in tackling mental health issues in the workplace. Anxiety, stress and depression can affect anybody and employees need help and support so that they are not left feeling vulnerable and demotivated.”

Adviser view

In July 2013, protection support provider Red Arc revealed that 13m working days could be lost each year as a result of mental health issues. Ian Howell, IFA for Norwich-based Capital Tower in Norwich said: “Mental health problems have caused big concerns; I suppose longer working hours and increasing workloads make mental heath programmes especially necessary.”