The Impact of Mental Health on Workplace Safety

The impact of Mental Health on Workplace safety.

Mental Health is a crucial aspect of Workplace Safety. Poor working environments, including discrimination and inequality, general workplace stress, workplaces that do not take Mental Health seriously or have a general Safe working environment for employees all pose a risk to Mental Health. And those being just a few examples.

Globally, an estimated seventeen million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in the UK in 2021/22. This is over half of all working days lost due to work-related ill health.

Mental Health awareness has however been on the rise in recent years. With the advent of digital platforms and social media, Mental Health is now being discussed more openly and frequently than ever before. This has helped to reduce the stigma surrounding Mental illness and encouraged more people to seek help when they need it. However, there is still such lack of knowledge around the subject and Workplaces can do more to help individuals and employees.

Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. This includes taking steps to address mental health concerns. Having a stress Risk assessment in the workplace is now a legal requirement and all employers should create a supportive workplace culture that promotes Mental Health and provides support and resources for employees who may be struggling.

Employers can take several steps to support Mental Health and improve the impact it can have in the workplace.

Stress Risk Assessments are a crucial tool for employers to identify and manage work-related stress, which can have a negative impact on employees Mental Health. Employers have a legal responsibility to assess work-related mental health issues and measure the levels of risk to staff. Where a risk is identified, steps must be taken to remove it or reduce it as far as reasonably practicable.

Training designated managers and staff members should also be a priority. Employers should develop Mental Health awareness among employees. This could look include Mental Health Awareness training, Mental Health First Aid training and managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing. The more knowledge Employers and staff members have on the subject, they should be able to help any struggling members and overall, this will promote a safer Workplace for all.

Having a Workplace Mental Health Policy in place will help make clear the best way for employees to raise any concerns they have about their Mental Health and how managers can respond and support staff with their Mental Health. It can also help ensure that everyone in the organization is aware of the support available for those who may need it.

Finally Create a supportive work environment, Employers should create a supportive work environment that promotes Mental Health and provides resources for employees who may be struggling. This includes providing access to Mental Health services, offering flexible work arrangements if needed, and promoting and encouraging work-life balance.

The above are only a few examples of what employers should have in place in order to support their staff in the correct and legal way. All of the above examples we can help you with here at Craven Consultancy Services if needing to put plans in place to support your employees.

We have essential, knowledgeable E-Learning such as Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health First Aid and managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing. We can offer your Workplace help with developing a Mental Health Policy as well as an employee Wellbeing Policy. And finally, we can provide you with a suitable Stress Risk Assessment designed specifically for your Workplace, as mentioned above this is now a legal requirement.

Having all the above measures in place will over all reduce the incidence of negative outcomes such as absenteeism and low productivity as well as having a safer Workplace. Not to mention employees will feel so much more valued as though they are coming to work every day to a Workplace that really cares about them and their Mental Health.

Mental Health is an integral part of Workplace Safety and must be taken seriously. If you are needing help with any of the above, then please give us a call here at Craven Consultancy Services on 01756 860 600.

Follow the links below to view and access all information on our essential Mental Health E-Learning. We can offer these as just a few examples but even more if you look at our website.

Mental Health Awareness – Craven Consultancy Services

Mental Health First Aid – Craven Consultancy Services

Managing Occupational Health and Wellbeing – Craven Consultancy Services