Staff do not rate company mental health initiatives as highly as their employers.
Statistics from the Breaking the Silence report from Bupashow that only 30% of employees believe that there is adequate support available to those suffering from mental health conditions in comparison to 80% of managers.
Statistics also show that 60% of those with mental health issues are unhappy in their role as a direct result of the way their condition has been treated.
Bupa corporate director Patrick Watt told HR magazine employers need to make significant progress before they can “break down the walls of silence” that still surround mental health in the workplace.
“Businesses must take immediate action,” he said.
“Managers need to be trained to spot the signs and know how to support employees to get the right help.”
Emma Mamo, head of workplace wellbeing at mental health charity Mind, added that Bupa’s findings echo her own organisation’s and show that mental health is still a taboo at work.
“Senior business leaders still hold some damaging views about the impact a mental health problem can have on somebody’s ability to carry out their role,” she said.
“People with mental health problems can perform to a high standard and make a valuable contribution,” Mamo added.
The release of this data comes only days after reports from Pulse Magazine that 40% of GPs are anticipating having to take time off work due to ‘burn-out’.
