The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has partnered with Mates in Mind as well as other leading organisations, to launch their new ‘Working Minds’ campaign to call for change across Britain’s workplaces as they aim to help over a million businesses recognise the signs of work-related stress.
Concern about the levels of mental health problems suffered by workers has prompted the HSE to launch their 'Working Minds' campaign, which was announced during the HSE’s first health and work conference, an online event.
Mental health issues are the top reason given for sick days in the UK. Last year more than 17 million working days were lost as a result of stress, anxiety, or depression, according to the HSE.
The campaign targets 1.1m small and medium-sized businesses, which account for approximately six million workers, with a focus on companies in the agriculture, construction, health, manufacturing and motor trade sectors. It aims to help employers recognise signs of work-related stress and act accordingly.
The 'Working Minds' campaign is calling on firms to reach out to staff, recognise signs of stress, respond to issues raised, reflect on how things have been dealt with, and make it routine to ask how people are.
Mates in Mind Managing Director Sarah Casemore says: “The mental health challenge, particularly related around workplace stress is really important to discuss. The impacts of work-related stress are significant and can affect anyone at any time, but they’re still not consistently approached and addressed in workplaces across construction. Many people are leaving their jobs across construction each year due to mental health reasons.”