The mental health charity Mind has reported that more than one in five (21%) agreed that they had called in sick to avoid work when asked how workplace stress had affected them, an additional 14% said that they had resigned and 42% had considered resigning when asked how workplace stress had affected them, these numbers are alarmingly high. Wellbeing and mental health needs to start being prioritised, Mind also reported that 56%of employers said they would like to do more to improve staff wellbeing but don’t feel they have the right training or guidance. So, how can we change this?

Be sure to join in the conversation on twitter using the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay on @HRDCommuity.

Below HRD Connect has collated some articles we are showcases this World Mental Health day 2018, as ever do let us know your thoughts at [email protected].

Waking up from 40 years of depression and anxiety

To mark national World Mental Health Day we met with Brian Heyworth, Global Head of Client Strategy at HSBC. He told us his in-depth personal story about having a psychological breakdown, keeping professionalism in mind and never recovering but learning to crisis manage himself from the depths of despair into a happy and fulfilled, albeit work-obsessed life.

What Mind are doing to create a mentally healthy workplace

The topic of mental health is an extremely important aspect of work, we spoke with Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind about what they are doing to constantly create a mentally healthy workspace, as well as addressing the startling statistics including the 300,000 people a year with a long-term mental health problem that lose their job in the UK.

Is your team member struggling with their mental health?

Mental health is one of the fastest growing reasons for absence in the UK, having increased by 71.9% since 2011, which has cost the UK economy £18bn in lost productivity, according to analysis from Centre of Economic and Business Research 2017. However, the negative impact on the sufferer is hard to quantify in terms of cost or pounds. Mental health problems can eat away at happiness, and have life changing impacts on people. So what can we do at work to help?

Improving mental health in the workplace

Today is World Mental Day – an event dedicated to global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma over mental ill-health regardless of context. Public initiatives like this play an important role in encouraging people to properly understand the issues and symptoms surrounding mental health and how they can be effectively addressed. The timing of this event couldn’t be more important, particularly here in the UK where mental health in the workplace is an issue in urgent need of more attention.

Six ways to help employees return to work after mental health issues

We are all faced with obstacles at work and sometimes just coming back after a holiday can feel challenging. However, when an employee is returning to work after a mental health issue, the experience can be even more daunting.

How culture improves mental health at NSPCC

Brett Terry, People Director at NSPCC, recently talked to us about how we can reduce mental health through culture and environment.

Emily Sexton-Brown