Promoting Mental Health in the Workplace
The National Health Service in the UK recently launched guidance on how to promote mental wellbeing at work. The guidance is particularly for those who have a direct or indirect role in, and responsibility for, promoting mental Health at work. This short guide highlights five recommendations through productive and healthy working conditions. The following is a brief outline:
- Adopt a strategic and organisational wide approach to promoting Mental Health in the Workplace and ensure it is relevant to your business (nature of your work; creating awareness; consultation etc.).
- Assess opportunities for promoting employees’ mental wellbeing and managing risk. This includes putting systems in place; ensuring employees are aware of their legal entitlements and responding to the needs of employees (i.e. Stress);
- Ensure Flexible Working Practices are adopted by the organisation. This includes developing, monitoring and promoting flexible working policies and practices;
- Management Responsibilities: Senior manamgent must be proactive in this area and commit to promoting mental health within the workplace. This includes motivation of employees; improving management styles; keeping stress to a minimum within the organisations; encouraging participation; delegation and coaching etc.
- Supporting micro, small and medium sized businesses: Public bodies should collaborate with smaller enterprises and offer advce and a range of supports and services in this area. They should also establish mechanisms for providing support and advice on developing and implementing organisation- wide approaches to promoting mental well being.
For further information on the NHS guidelines click here.
