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Workers unhappy to disclose mental health problems

Nearly half of workers feel uncomfortable talking about mental health conditions such as depression, a survey has revealed.

The Shaw Trust found that 18.3 per cent of employees would not even reveal a condition to their HR department and only 17.9 per cent would talk about their illness to a colleague.

The charity surveyed 1,000 workers in the run up to World Mental Health Day on October 10 and found that there is still a stigma attached to mental health problems, especially among manual and skilled professionals.

Tim Cooper, managing director of The Shaw Trust, said: "The Office of National Statistics estimates that one in six people may suffer from a mental ill health condition at any one time.

"Despite this, our research illustrates that people are still very reluctant to reveal such a condition, particularly in the current economic climate in which workers are concerned about showing any sign of perceived weakness.

"We know however from our work that people with mental health conditions are perfectly capable of managing a job and their condition with the right support from their employers."

Of those surveyed, 34.5 per cent cited being ashamed or worried as the reason for not wanting to disclose their mental health condition. This figure increased to 43.3 per cent among younger workers under 24. One in 10 workers also believed that revealing their condition would hamper their chances of achieving a promotion.

Cary Cooper, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University, said: "There is still a huge stigma associated with having a mental health condition.

"Businesses need to create an environment in which people not only feel confident to discuss a mental health condition but also one in which they can receive the support they need."

Employers who provide a health cash plan with an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can lower their risk of stress and musculoskeletal related litigation and help to reduce stress related absence.

Many of Westfield Health’s cash plans include a 24-hour counselling and advice line, which enables employees to speak to a counsellor, lawyer or medical adviser at any time in complete confidence.

Westfield’s corporate Foresight and Chamber Plans also offer up to six face-to-face counselling sessions, which allow employees to talk through issues in person with a trained counsellor.

For more information on the Advantage Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/advantage/index.asp

For more information on the Good4you Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/individual-health-plans/health-cash-plan.asp

For more information on the Foresight Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/foresight/index.asp

For more information on the Chamber Primary Health Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/chamber/index.asp

For more information on the Westfield Flex Health Cash Plan, please visit:
http://www.westfieldhealth.com/corporate-health-plans/flex/index.asp

Reference:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article4898593.ece

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