More help needed for employees with mental illness

Nick Elvin

Seventy million working days were lost to mental illness last year, costing the economy up to £100 billion, the UK’s Chief Medical Officer has revealed in her 2014 annual report.

With the number of working days lost to stress, depression and anxiety increasing by 24% since 2009, Professor Dame Sally Davies has called for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to analyse the cost benefit of fast-tracking access to treatment for working people who may fall out of work due to mental illness.

She also recommends simple changes to help people with mental illness stay in work by offering flexible working hours, and employers making early and regular contact with employees on sick leave.

“One of the stark issues highlighted in this report is that 60 to 70% of people with common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety are in work, so it is crucial that we take action to help those people stay in employment to benefit their own health as well as the economy,” said Professor Davies.

“I urge commissioners and decision-makers to treat mental health more like physical health. The WHO model of mental health promotion, mental illness prevention and treatment and rehabilitation should be adopted in public mental health in England.”

Carl Chapman, head of wellbeing at actuarial, administration and consultancy services provider Barnett Waddingham, said it was not a surprise the report indicated mental health needed to become more of a priority.

“I agree with Dame Sally Davies that while the NHS can and needs to increase funding and reduce treatment waiting times, the workplace is also extremely important in tackling the issue,” he said.

“The most effective strategy to combat mental ill health in the workplace is a combination of analysis, prevention and intervention in line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines.

“It is important that employers spend time analysing where the health risks are within their business and putting measures to tackle mental ill health in the workplace. This can be done through line manager training, support and flexibility, and ensuring that where intervention is needed, it is sourced quickly, is relevant and efficient.”