SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYEES
Introduction
This leaflet aims to help employees who are experiencing distress or mental
health problems think about their needs and plan for meetings with their
manager. The information has been adapted from the Derbyshire Mental Health
Services Trust and the mental health charity, Mind.
What are mental health problems?
Around one in four people in Britain experience mental health problems at some
stage of their life. This can affect the way people think, feel and behave.
Various mental health diagnoses are used to describe how people express
emotional distress for example, ‘anxiety’, ‘depression’, ‘obsessive compulsive
disorder’ or ‘psychosis’ are labels you might have heard before.
Mental health problems can affect people in different ways – some people may
struggle with public speaking while others feel unable to leave their house. A
mental health problem can be just as painful as a physical illness or injury
although it cannot be seen. This sometimes means that people can underestimate
how serious they can be. Mental health problems are different from stress
although they may share similar characteristics such as sleepless nights, loss of
appetite or feeling overwhelmed. The key differences are in the severity and
duration of the experiences and the impact they have on someone’s everyday
life.
If you would like to find out more about the different diagnoses and treatment
options you might find the following document helpful: Understanding Mental
Health Problems from the mental health charity, Mind.
http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-healthproblems/mental-health-problems-(general)/
How to get help
If you feel that you might be suffering with a mental health problem you can
contact your GP who will explore treatment options with you. You may request to
see a counsellor or psychologist to discuss your experiences in greater detail and
for support to move forward. You can confidentially refer yourself to the GHT
Staff Support service for support with any difficulties either at work or home.
The Staff Support webpage has useful resources and an online self-referral
form.
Staff Support Service,
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
http://intranet/en/Your-Division/Diagnostic-Specialties-Division/HealthPsychology/Staff-Support/
You can also contact the ‘Let’s Talk’ Service to speak to a trained mental health
professional by calling 0800 073 2200 between 9.00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to
Friday. If you decide to pursue therapy privately you must make sure that
whoever you choose to work with is registered with the Health & Care
Professionals Council (HCPC) or the British Association for Counselling and
Psychotherapy (BACP). It is important to remember that it is not a sign of
weakness to seek support for a mental health problem and it is possible to
recover and live a productive and fulfilling life.
Talking to your manager
Due to feelings of embarrassment or fear many people avoid discussing mental
health problems with their manager. However, the earlier the issues are tackled,
the more likely it is that you can agree on adjustments that enable you to
continue in work. When approaching your manager, remember that fear and
anxiety can affect both parties, and managers may worry about saying ‘the
wrong thing’. It may be helpful to consider the following:
 If the problem involves your home life, decide how much you feel
comfortable to share.
 Consider what actions your manager could take that may help you.
 Decide what, if anything, you wish colleagues to be told.
 Give your manager some suggestions about how you would like your
progress and performance to be monitored.
 If problems have been building up for some time you may feel angry or
frustrated. Plan how you will manage these feelings in the meeting e.g.
plan to take a break if you begin to feel overwhelmed.
 There may be ways in which the meeting could be made easier e.g. meeting
in a neutral location or with a friend or trade union representative in
attendance.
 If there are problems at work that involve others, think about whether
you are going to talk to the manager about this. You may wish to consult
others before doing so.
 It might help to write down the main points to take to the meeting so that
you don’t forget them.
Keeping in touch during sickness absence
Although it can feel difficult, it is advisable to keep in touch with your employer
if you are off work for extended periods of time. This is partly so that practical
issues around sick leave can be sorted and you can clear up any worries you have
that relate to the job. However, it’s also important for emotional and social
Staff Support Service,
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
reasons. It’s easy to feel cut off or isolated and to lose confidence. Keeping in
contact can make the return to work feel more manageable.
Some issues to consider include:
 If you are worried about losing your job or financial issues, it is best to
raise these fears directly so that you can clarify your position.
 When it is right for you, see if you can call in to work for a coffee so that
you are in touch with people and what’s happening, both at work and
socially.
 There may be a colleague or friend at work who can keep you updated and
let others know how you are.
 Let colleagues know whether you want visits or calls.
 Consider what you will tell them when they visit.
 Remember that you can seek advice and support from Occupational
Health, Human Resources and the Staff Support Service.
 Read the Trust polices on sickness and returning to work.
Returning to work
Returning to work after a period of absence can feel daunting. It might be
helpful to keep the following issues in mind:
 That it is normal for your anxiety levels of increase when you return but
this should settle with a little time.
 Think about any adjustments or support that would be helpful e.g. is a
phased return possible?
 If there are particular aspects of the job that make you feel anxious,
have some practical suggestions about what can be done about these.
 Think about how you’d like your progress to be monitored. What goals are
realistic?
 There may be a neutral or independent person who could act as a mentor.
 Clarify what you’d like colleagues / patients/ clients to be told.
 Consider meeting up for lunch with a trusted colleague to catch up before
you return.
What are my rights in law?
Under The Equality Act 2010, employers may not discriminate against current or
prospective employees on the basis of their disability. ‘Disability’ is defined as a
physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse
effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal, day-to-day activities. If a
mental illness is clinically well recognised, it may well be considered as meeting
the criteria under the Disablility component of the Equality Act 2010. .
Staff Support Service,
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Managing mental health problems whilst at work
For many people, the experience of mental health problems is a difficult learning
process that enhances their skills and knowledge. People frequently quote
qualities such as empathy, support for others, and insight as a result of their
experiences. This may be a more positive way to introduce and discuss mental
health issues at work. If you have an ongoing mental health problem, it is likely
that you will have developed a coping strategy. This may include being aware of
the warning signs for a relapse and taking pre-emptive action. It may be helpful
to talk to your manager about this strategy and to ask for support when you
first spot signs of a relapse.
Further help and information from:
Occupational Health
Working Well Staff Health and Wellbeing 2gether NHS Foundation Trust
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 3NN
Tel: 0300 422 5165
http://www.workingwell2gether.nhs.uk/
Human Resources
Beacon House
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 3NN
Tel: 0300 422 5360
http://intranet/en/Your-Division/Corporate-Services/Welcome-to-HR/
Staff Support Service
Health Psychology Department
Beacon House
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road
Gloucester
Gloucestershire
GL1 3NN
You can self-refer to the service using the online referral form:
Staff Support Service,
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
http://intranet/en/Your-Division/Diagnostic-Specialties-Division/HealthPsychology/Staff-Support/
Let’s Talk Service
2gether NHS Foundation Trust
Rikenel
Montpellier
Gloucester
GL1 1LY
Tel: 0800 073 2200
http://www.talk2gether.nhs.uk/
Further Reading
Challis, S. (2014). Understanding Mental Health Problems. London: Mind.
Available at www.mind.org.uk/media/619080/understanding-mental-healthproblems-2014.pdf
The Equality Act 2010. Available at www.legislation.gov.uk
The Line Manager’s Resource: A practical guide to managing and supporting
mental health in the workplace. Available at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/pdfs/manage-mental-health.pdf
Sickness Management Trust Policy. Available on the intranet:
http://glnt313/sites/ghnhsft_policy_library/default.aspx
Staff Support Service,
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust