[1] Acas, Promoting positive mental health at work booklet. 2014, Acas: United Kingdom.
[2] Ministry of Health. 2013. New Zealand Health Survey: Annual update of key findings 2012/13. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
[3] Green, J., Supporting volunteers with experience of mental illness: A literature review. 2012: Christchurch, New Zealand.
Some common concerns - I do not have the right skills or enough information to manage a person with a mental health problem.
Every workplace will experience workers with both physical and mental health problems, and the skills needed to manage these problems are very similar. Managers are not expected to be paramedics or to have expert counselling skills; they simply need to be open to acknowledging and dealing with any health problems as they arise. If they take the time to learn a little about mental health problems this will give them the confidence to deal with situations, and to know how to find other support as needed.[1]
- We do not have anyone with mental health problems in our workplace.
Mental health problems are common in New Zealand. According to the New Zealand Health Survey, one in six New Zealand adults (16%, or an estimated 582,000 adults) have been diagnosed with a common mental disorder at some time in their lives (including depression, bipolar disorder and/or anxiety disorder). Six percent of New Zealand adults are reported to have experienced high levels of psychological distress in the last four weeks. Workplaces which support people with mental health problems can benefit all employees.[1][2] The real issue is that employees often do not feel safe discussing their problems in their workplace because of discrimination or stigma. If you can create a safe and open environment, this is the first step in understanding how mental health problems are impacting your workplace.
- Staff and customers will not feel comfortable working with someone with a mental health problem.
There is a lot of social stigma and fear around people with mental health problems, and a common misconception that they may do weird things, and embarrass or harm others. Those who have interacted with people with mental health problems, or who have been educated about mental health problems, usually overcome their initial negative reactions and feel more comfortable, safe and positive. Education programs about mental health problems are also shown to reduce concerns.[3]
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