People do find it difficult to talk about mental health, as there is still a certain amount of stigma attached to it (Off Message, Personnel Today, 27 May). This is a problem in itself, as poor mental health is something that most people will experience at some time in their lives – probably caused through normal life events.
Everyone knows that working long hours is not always a matter of choice. It can be essential for keeping a roof over your head, especially among people who are self-employed. Therefore, it is a good idea for people to be able to recognise when someone is going through a difficult time. A sympathetic ear in the HR department with some practical suggestions for temporarily relieving the pressure might save a company lost working hours.
It can also be very stressful not being able to get a job. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realise that having a diagnosed mental health problem can make this much more difficult. That is why it is important to provide people in this situation with as much help as possible – nothing to do with being ‘caring’ and ‘sharing’, but with getting people back to work and boosting the economy.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
Articles that promote discussion on the employment of people who have had poor mental health in a positive way are useful. It would be good to see as many of them as possible in the future.
Rosie Shrimpton, posted on Personneltoday.com
