World Mental Health Day 2018
10th October 2018
Mental Health is now more important than ever. In 2018 particular importance is being paid to young people across the globe, the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day.
World Mental Health Day is an annual event held on 10th October. The objective is to promote worldwide mental health education, awareness and advocacy, particularly against the social stigma that many people with mental health issues face in and out of the workplace.
Mental health conditions can range from relatively common disorders such as depression and anxiety to the rarer bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. But many people don’t want to talk about Mental Health even with friends or family. It is believed that mental health affects 16 million in the UK alone. Which means 5.9 people are affected per 100 in the UK. This, in turn, affects the UK workforce.
In a survey by CV Library, they asked 1200 UK workers about mental health. 14.1% of respondents admitted to suffering from mental health problems. The respondents who identified having a mental health problem said it impacts their life and their job. In fact, nearly half of the respondents said they have considered resigning from the job because of the impact it has on their mental health.
Many believe that Mental health is a growing crisis in and out of the workplace with the UK holding its inaugural global mental health summit to coincide with World Mental Health day, and has taken this opportunity to appoint a minister for suicide prevention in England by the prime minister Theresa May.
The UK Prime Minister has said the appointment of Health Minister Jackie Doyle-Price to the new role will help tackle the stigma surrounding suicide. While suicide rates are falling in the UK, 4,500 people take their own lives every year, according to the ONS. Males accounted for three-quarters of suicides registered in 2017.
If you are worried about Mental Health in your workplace, Kays Medical Occupational Health team are on hand to guide you through some simple steps to make working for your organisation a mental health safe space.
Kays Medical can offer Mental Health First Aid Training to you and your staff to gain a better understanding of mental health issues within the workplace and the effect it can have on both individuals and your business. This 1-day Mental Health First Aid course, includes relevant legislation, the impact of Mental Health issues on the UK and UK business and an overview of the principles and practice of Mental Health First Aid. If you would like to know more about our Mental Health First Aid Training Course, get in touch today.
