04/06/2007

Report reveals scale of mental ill health at work

A report has revealed that mental ill health is the second largest cause of time lost due to sickness absence in UK organizations.

According to the report from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, stress, depression, and anxiety account for over 50% of these mental health problems.

The findings, taken from 30,000 real absence records, found that the number one cause of time lost due to sickness absence is musculoskeletal conditions. However it is the evidence on mental ill health which the government will find particularly worrying in view of the huge increase in the proportion of people claiming incapacity benefit over the last ten years who have mental health problems.

The findings highlighted the huge impact mental health problems have on the workplace with employees taking on average 21 days for each mental health related sickness absence spell.

A CIPD spokesperson said: "This research shows how important it is for managers and HR practitioners to be aware of the signs of mental ill health so that they can take action early and provide support before the individual's condition deteriorates to the point they go off on long-term sick leave."

The report called on the government to play a role in finding ways to help encourage more employers to provide their staff with access to cost effective occupational health services.

(SP/KMcA)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

31 July 2015
Funding Secured For Police And University Collaboration On Mental Health
Funding of £1m has been secured for a collaboration between North Yorkshire Police and the University of York in an effort to develop new approaches for dealing with mental health issues.
08 February 2005
Review of mental health nurses announced
The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) has announced plans for a new framework for mental health nursing. CNO Chris Beasley said that the review of mental health nursing would look at a number of issues, including race equality, health promotion, child protection and the development of non-medical prescribing.
23 September 2003
Guidance for women's mental health strategy launched
Health Minister, Rosie Winterton, today launched guidance for a Women's Mental Health Strategy during a visit to Mental Health services in Sheffield. Social isolation and poverty are much more common in women, as is the experience of child sexual abuse, domestic violence and sexual violence, the minister said.
11 March 2011
Veteran Support Helpline Launched
Veterans with mental health problems will get targeted support from today with the launch of the new Combat Stress Support Helpline, being delivered by Rethink Mental Illness and funded by the Government.
10 September 2008
Twice As Many Mentally Ill People End Up In Police Custody
Twice as many people are detained in unsuitable police custody for assessment under the Mental Health Act as those taken by the police to hospital for this purpose, according to research published by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) today.