The BetterMe approach can help you and/or your company build up mental wellbeing.
Mental health is an issue that UK companies can’t afford to ignore
In an article by Greg Clark, UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, he talks about the importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace.
The Mental Health Foundation found that the average person in Britain says “I’m fine” at least 14 times a day, but any business or family can suddenly find a staff member or family member who is struggling.
Almost one in three people will be struck by mental health problems while in employment, and it is the single largest cause of disability in the UK.
The economic and social cost of mental health problems in the UK amounts to more than £100bn every year. It is the number one cause of sickness absence, with around 70m work days lost.
More importantly, no statistic can ever begin to capture the devastating and isolating impact on those people affected by mental health issues, and on their families and friends.
As the World Health Organisation says, “there is no health without mental health” – it is just as fundamental to our wellbeing as any physical illness.
This is why today, on World Mental Health Day, I believe that it’s the perfect time to promote mental health awareness in the workplace, and encourage colleagues to look out for each other.
I am proud that my own department runs mental health and well-being events, and is growing our pool of mental health first aiders, developing a culture where people can speak openly about their mental health problems.
We are working hand-in-hand with business, inventors, and innovators to address these challenges and opportunities facing our economy and society.
As part of the government’s biggest increase in research and development spending, we announced last month the creation of eight new Mental Health Networks to bring together researchers from health to the humanities, to work collaboratively with charities and people who have experience of mental health issues.
Together, they will pool their knowledge to help improve mental health outcomes.
