It comes as the Access to Work Workplace Mental Health Support Service, operated by Remploy, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions celebrates supporting over 11,000 employees to remain in work.
The free support service, which offers personalised support to help individuals struggling because of stress, anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions, has a remarkable success rate with 93% of people who have used the service still in their jobs after six months.
The service, which is available across England, Scotland and Wales, offers free individual workplace support from an experienced mental health practitioner for a period of six months.
Sarah Newton MP, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said: “Mental health is a real priority for this Government, and getting 11,000 people with mental health conditions the very best support to thrive in the workplace is an impressive milestone. It’s fantastic news not only for those individuals it’s directly helped, but their employers too. Creating an environment where employees can get the right support at the right time will help people with mental health conditions to reach their full potential.”
One in six adults of working age will be affected by mental health in any one year and it is the single largest reason for absenteeism from the workplace.
Fifty- four year old Professor Paul Tucker, a professor in Engineering at the University of Cambridge, thought being stressed and anxious most of the time was normal. “Eventually I realised that is it not normal to feel intensely anxious 99% of the time,” he said, “That’s when I sought help from Remploy.”
He added: “I was used to referrals taking a long time, so it was refreshing that within a week I received a call from my Remploy Vocational Rehabilitation Coach. She helped me to liase with my employer to make my workload more manageable, make them aware there would be a recovery period and talk about adjustments to help me in my role. Her support has been invaluable.”
Support can include introducing coping strategies; a tailored plan to keep them in, or return to work; ideas for workplace adjustments to help them fulfil their role; and practical advice and support.
Gareth Parry, Remploy Chief Executive, said: “I am so proud that we have helped 11,000 people facing mental health issues to stay in work through the service. We want to help change perceptions of mental health in the workplace and know that managing stress can be a big challenge for individuals and their employers, as well as other conditions such as depression. Increasing demand for this support alongside our free webinars for employers demonstrates how important workplace mental health support is.”
Gareth added: “ It is estimated that mental health is now responsible for 91 million lost working days each year, so it is a subject we should all be encouraging individuals and businesses to talk about to maintain employment for individuals and boost productivity for businesses.”
If you or a colleague would like support, get in touch on 0300 456 8114 or email vocationalrehabilitation@remploy.co.uk. For more information about the service, please visit the Mental Health section of our website.