Employees are THREE times more likely to discuss physical ailments over mental health issues at work
It's a year since we launched our Where's Your Head At? campaign
Last updated 13th May 2019
It's been a year since we first launched our Where's Your Head At? campaign, aiming to get a mental health first aider in each workplace. Now, in new research released ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (13th -19th May), we've found that employees are less likely to talk about their mental health than their physical health at work.
A recent survey found that 42% of employees feel comfortable to talk about physical conditions, but when it comes to common mental health issues, it's another story, with only 14% happy to talk about them with their colleagues.
The research also showed that only 1 in 10 workers are happy to talk about self-harm, psychosis, eating disorders, postnatal depression or schizophrenia. It revealed that almost 40% of employees would be OK talking to their manager about cancer, but only 12% feel they could discuss bipolar disorder.
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From today (13th May) employers across the country will be encouraged to sign up as official supporters of the Workplace Manifesto, which will recognise that everyone has mental health, and mental ill health doesn’t discriminate.
Natasha Devon MBE, a campaigner and author who has joined us with our campaign says it's important for employers to take mental health more seriously, "The feedback I'm getting on my travels around the UK is that many of them are paying it lip service.
"Our research shows that people still feel the stigma of discussing mental health in the workplace, fearing they will be seen as 'unprofessional' if they do disclose a mental health issue."
Natasha went on to explain how we spend a third of our lives at work so it's incredibly important and the range of recommended actions employers can take has been expanded.
All week we'll be turning mental health into a conversation, you can listen to Andrea Zara as she is joined by famous names from all walks of life, who all share one thing in common - they have all struggled or are struggling with their mental health.
Find out more about the Where's Your Head At? campaign at www.wheresyourheadat.org