Leading workplace health specialist applauds findings – but hints at ‘greater hidden burden’ of employees

Workplace health specialist, RehabWorks, has today welcomed the findings of a new mental health study commissioned by Theresa May – but says the ‘complete picture’ may be worse still.

The Prime Minister was today in East Anglia to mark the launch of a national programme of mental health support, which follows the completion of a major study into how many thousands of people lose their employment through mental health issues.

The findings revealed approximately 300,000 people with a long-term mental health problem will have to leave their job each year and that the annual cost to the UK economy is up to £99 billion pounds per year, with the cost to UK employers being £30 billion per year.

Notably, the UK spends:
· £10.6 billion in sickness absence;
· £21.2 billion in reduced productivity at work, or ‘presenteeism’
· £3.1 billion in replacing staff who leave their jobs because of their mental health.

The Mental Health Foundation states that better mental health support in the workplace can save UK businesses up to £8 billion pounds per year.

RehabWorks, which has its offices on Angel Hill, in Bury St Edmunds, is a specialist in the arena of mental health in the workplace and has for many years been leading the way in providing evidence-based mental health care for business customers and their employees.

These services range in nature from awareness training for employees and managers, critical incident support and crisis management, and a full spectrum of treatments for common mental health issues.

Derrick Farrell, CEO of RehabWorks, says their experience indeed reflects the startling statistic released today – but that there are many more thousands who ‘ suffer in silence’ with mental health issues, because of the taboo and prejudice that surround this significant and growing issue.

He said: “Mental Health is becoming a more prominent business issue, and, with the likely introduction of a Mental Health and Wellbeing check by the HSE, this will only increase.

“It is also a major concern for the Public Sector, and particularly our Emergency Services, where traumatic situations form a core element to most employee’s normal days.”

RehabWorks work with a broad spectrum of clients, which range in size and focus from small SMEs to large employers, such as John Lewis Partnership, in the Corporate sector, to NHS Trusts and large Public Sector bodies.

The company’s services cover everything from an Employee Assistance Program to much more extensive Wellbeing Programs, with associated care pathways to provide solutions for more complex Mental Health issues.

Mr Farrell added: “We provide the expertise needed to educate, prevent, treat and most importantly to prevent re-occurrence for all common mental health issues.

“It is important for employers and managers to know that there are solutions out there and usually they are not as complex or complicated as you would imagine.”

Each year, the company supports some 50,000 individuals in getting back to good health with an occupational focus – helping to restore income, but also boosting confidence, and improving physical health which can be worsened by poor mental health.

Pictured above is Derrick Farrell, CEO of RehabWorks.