Supporting mental health in the workplace is more important than ever. Mental health problems affect approximately 1 in 4 people every year in the UK. In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem such as depression and anxiety in any given week. Employees can take leave from work due to poor mental health and the absence will be treated just like a physical illness.
Returning to work after a period of poor mental health can feel really scary, which we know doesn’t help feelings associated with stress or anxiety. For some, returning to work can also feel like a big milestone in their recovery process.
Either way, we are here to tell you that you are not alone. Here are some suggestions for what to do if you suffer with mental health problems and are worried about how it could affect your work:
If you feel that your mental health problems are affecting your ability to work, then it is time to speak up. Yes, this can feel daunting, but you ultimately need to prioritise your own health. We suggest setting up a private meeting with your manager, an HR representative or a Mental Health First Aider to discuss your feelings and to see how the business can help. Be prepared to talk openly and honestly with your manager if it is comfortable for you to do so.
All employers have a ‘duty of care’, which means they have to ensure they do all that is reasonably practical to support the mental health, wellbeing and safety of all employees. Some of these actions include:
When it comes to deciding who you should speak to about your mental health at work, there are no set rules. You may feel closer to your supervisor than to the company boss, or you may feel that your HR representative has had more experience and formal training in this field. Whoever it may be, choose someone you trust and someone you feel comfortable talking to.
We also recommend being prepared before you have that conversation. Think about what your aim is. Are you looking for some time off work? Would an easing of deadlines be helpful? Being concise and open will help you get your points across clearly and will also help your employer to really understand what the best ways to support you are.
There is also no clear-cut way to talk to your employer. Be it via email or face-to-face conversation, you need to do what feels most comfortable for you.
You are under no obligation to talk to your colleagues about your mental health issues, or about what is going on in your life. However, you may feel that hiding your feelings can also put a strain on you, so making them aware of how your mental health is affecting your work could allow them to be there for you and better understand how to support you and your workload. You may be surprised at how many people suffer with mental health don’t say anything about it.
In some instances, mental health conditions are considered a disability. Whilst there is no specific law on mental health and sick leave in the UK, it is so important that you treat mental illness in the same way as you would a physical illness.
In terms of taking the time off, you can self-certificate if you are sick up to 7 days, including non-working days. You will need to provide a sick note upon your return to work if you are off for longer than 7 days.
An important thing to note: Employees can get a sick note for stress from their GP.
When planning on returning to work, you may wish to speak with your GP before going back. From there you can arrange to meet with your employer to discuss any reasonable adjustments which your employer can make to ensure your return to work is as easy as possible. This will also give you an opportunity to chat through your concerns around returning to work.
You may also want to discuss:
UK employers are, by law, required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for staff that have disabilities or any long-term physical/mental health issues.
This could mean giving more support or assistance to help prioritise work for a colleague suffering from anxiety.
If you need additional support beyond reasonable adjustment, then you can apply for an Access to Work grant. This pays for functional support, allowing you to continue doing your job.
Daily life is stressful for most people but recognising when your body and mind need a break is crucial to your health and well-being. Remember to be kind to yourself. There is no time frame in which you ‘should feel better’, so take it day by day and remember to do what is best for you.
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*COVID-19 considerations apply. All information was accurate and up to date at the time of publishing.
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