This year, the 1st of February marks Time to Talk Day – a national initiative dedicated to sparking conversations about mental health among friends, families, communities, and workplaces.
Recent research conducted by epshr towards the end of 2023 revealed that supporting mental health and wellbeing continues to be a top priority for HR in 2024. Indeed, 26% of HR professionals identified it as the most crucial area for employee support this year.
This focus aligns with startling statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). They report that stress, depression, and anxiety constitute approximately 49% of all work-related ill-health cases and are responsible for 54% of all lost working days. These figures underscore the widespread impact of poor mental health in the workplace and the pressing need for effective management strategies.
At esphr, we’ve observed an increasing number of cases where employees suffer from work-related stress, either caused or worsened by their job. Mental health conditions are impacting not only their work performance but also their attendance. These issues are not only costly but also time-consuming for employers to address.
The year 2024 stands as a critical juncture for employers to reassess their approach to employee wellbeing. It goes beyond mere compliance with regulations. Cultivating a mentally healthy workplace is both a legal requirement and a moral duty.
Time to Talk Day should serve as a reminder for employers to take mental health seriously. Those who do are likely to thrive, going beyond mere lip service. This involves implementing appropriate policies and procedures, ensuring employees have a safe space to discuss mental health concerns, and training managers to recognise signs of mental health issues. Consequently, this proactive approach can prevent employees from becoming so overwhelmed that they experience emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion, leading to burnout.
