Workers reach for antidepressants during recession

May 18, 2010

Mental Health charity Mind has today released further evidence that the recession has had a devastating effect on the well-being of British workers.

The charity has found that since the recession, 1 in 10 workers have sought support from their doctors and 7% have started taking antidepressants for stress and mental health problems directly caused by the pressures of recession on their workplace.

Mind’s Populus poll of 2050 workers, part of their "Taking Care of Business" campaign, also found that as a direct result of recession:

• 5% had seen a counsellor
• 50% said staff morale was low

Mind’s findings prompt fears for the mental health of hundreds of workers who face significant pressure as businesses tighten their belts.

Mind’s new research found that over the course of their careers:

• Almost 50% of people had lost sleep due to work
• 22% had developed depression
• 1 in 5 said that work stress had made them physically ill
• 1 in 4 had cried at work
• Only 38% of workers think their current employer is doing enough to support them

The "Taking Care of Business" campaign has the backing of Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne who said: "It’s a very anxious time. However, the recession is also a good time for businesses to be working on promoting good staff well-being. You’ve got to look after your staff. If you haven’t got staff, you haven’t got a business. It’s as simple as that."

Although mental health problems account for the second biggest cause of sickness absence at work, awareness and understanding of mental health problems are extremely poor and most senior managers do not believe mental health problems affect their workforce. Mental health remains a taboo subject and employees often choose to put on a brave face at work concealing their distress. This means that mental health problems cost businesses an estimated £26 billion a year, which with better mental health and well-being interventions, could be slashed by a third saving the industry up to £8 billion a year.

Connaught provides a wide range of occupational health services including sickness absence management, health screening, well-being, and training services to maintain a healthy and productive workforce. Further details can be found at: http://www.connaughtoccupationalhealth.co.uk/