Umbrella Provide Mental Health Consultation

An independent review looking at how employers can better support the mental health of their employees was published recently in the UK. This Thriving At Work report outlines the challenges the UK faces regarding mental health in the workplace. These challenges are very similar to those we face in New Zealand, in particular the number of people who are managing mental illness alongside their work.

The costs from poorly managed mental health at work are significant. Costs result from absence costs, from presenteeism and turnover costs, as well as from staff that are not fully enthusiastic and engaged in their work due to low mental wellbeing. The report recommends that all businesses, regardless of their size, take action to help staff with mental health difficulties to thrive in the workplace, and empower individuals to be able to look after the mental health of themselves and their co-workers.

A set of ‘mental health core standards’ for all businesses to sign up to are also provided in the report. They are:
Create a plan outlining your approach to mental health at work and ensure your employees are familiar with it.
Help all members of the organisation to develop an awareness of mental health.
Encourage open conversation among your employees about mental health and the support available.
Ensure all employees have the opportunity for development at work, and review working conditions to ensure everyone has a good work-life balance.
Use line managers and supervisors to encourage effective people management systems.
Routinely monitor the mental health and wellbeing of all employees.

Many research and organisational case studies have demonstrated that implementing such measures and investing in your employees’ mental wellbeing can reduce absence costs and increase productivity, as well as helping to improve the quality of life of employees. The team at Umbrella specialise in working with organisations to help them meet each of the standards outlined above. Umbrella provides mental health consultation, training in mental health awareness for staff, and training in managing mental health well for managers, as well as individual mental health support.

In January 2018 Umbrella will launch their new Wellbeing Assessment survey. This tool provides an accurate and informative picture of employee mental health. The information from the survey is beneficial in two broad ways. Firstly, to guide wellbeing strategy, targeting those areas of staff well being and engagement of those most in need. Secondly, for individual employees, feedback supports individuals to take positive action to improve their own health and well being, driving up employee well being as a whole.

To find out more about stress management, workplace wellness and corporate wellness please go to http://umbrella.org.nz .