Mental illness in the workplace - what's your strategy?

By KMC Human Resources

28 Sep 2016

Mental illness is becoming an increasingly salient issue in workplaces across the UK, according to a new survey.

By Karen Credie, KMCHR.

The results of a nationwide questionnaire by AXA PPP found that mental illness is now the biggest threat to the UK’s workforce, with 51 per cent of senior executives stating they believe mental health to represent the biggest challenge to employee health over the next five years.

As employees continue to lead ever more stressful lives both at and outside of work, mental health issues are becoming more and more prevalent. In fact, work-related mental ill health costs the UK economy up to £26 billion every year through lost working days, staff turnover and lower productivity and one in six workers experiences depression, anxiety or unmanageable stress.

Despite these statistics, mental health remains somewhat of a taboo, with few SME employers having a strategy in place to deal with employee mental health issues.

So what can you do to ensure your workplace is conducive to positive employee mental health?

Recognise any issues

The first step to tackling mental health in the workplace is to recognise where there is room for improvement. Whilst you may think your company is a shining example of places to work, your employees may not feel the same. One way to identify issues is to conduct a survey for staff to complete anonymously, with questions specifically pertaining to stress, workload, support and wellbeing. You should also take a close look at your staff turnover figures. If these are particularly high, stress or poor work relations could be a leading cause.

Promote wellbeing

Once any issues have been identified, it’s time to act on them. There are many strategies you might look to employ to improve the wellbeing of your staff and these will depend upon what the particular issues are. Generally, you should ensure that workloads match employees’ abilities and experience and that deadlines for the completion of work are reasonable. Allowing employees the freedom to express any concerns regarding their position and workload and plans for employee training and development are also important for staff morale. A clear and supportive reporting structure can also assist employee wellbeing. Managers/team leaders should be given clear guidelines around mental health issues, particularly the signs to look out for and how to support staff in a positive and non-discriminatory way.

Lead by example

The culture of an organisation comes from the top so if the business leaders work excessive hours, rarely engage socially with other staff and have a generally stressed and overworked demeanour, it is likely that this ethos will infiltrate your workforce. Whilst it is not wrong to expect your staff to work hard, there is a balance and as the above statistics indicate, overworked staff will cost you more in the long run. It is important for employers to consider the wellbeing of their workforce as a whole and introduce health and wellbeing strategies that tackle any specific health needs. For further advice on how to actively manage mental health in your workplace, please get in touch.

Latest news

1

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary Eden Project garden

Eden Project Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 marks 25th anniversary

21 Oct 2025

2

Breck Homes appoints new managing director Phil Dolan, Breck

Breck Homes appoints new managing director

20 Oct 2025

3

Management buyout at Suresite Group Steve Holden

Management buyout at Suresite Group

17 Oct 2025

4

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company Helen and Richard Chalu new

Meet the influencers who have generated £2m sales for one company

16 Oct 2025

5

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide Daniel Long

WHN strengthens position in prestigious legal guide

16 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin