Welfare or Farewell? Mental health and stress in the workplace

Mental health problems, including stress, account for a high proportion of sickness absence and result in loss of employment. The paper presents findings from a recent qualitative research study into employers' policies and practices in relation to mental health and stress. A number of problems are identified in how employers perceive mental health, particularly in the distinction between Ôhome' and Ôwork-based'problems and in how it is dealt with. These include managers' skills in dealing with mental health issues and in the availability of help, such as counselling. The paper identifies a range of measures which would improve current practice. These are seen to have wider benefits in improving employee well-being more generally.