
Health talk and opinions from Westfield health experts, staff and policyholders. Including our latest surveys on topical health issues.
Mental health problems affect almost a third of all workers in Britain every year, with the majority of employers unaware of the problem.
At the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has stated that managers underestimate how much their employees are suffering from stress, anxiety and depression.
Depression is the UK’s most common mental health problem, affecting between eight and 12 per cent of the population each year and is estimated to cost England and Wales in the region of £8billion annually in terms of lost productivity.
Acas has published advice for employers on how to control the issue and has suggested the introduction of support options such as employee assistance programmes (EAPs) and access to occupational health.
Having an EAP in place may reduce employers’ risk of stress-related litigation.
Most of Westfield Health’s corporate health cash plans offer a 24-hour freephone counselling and advice line for employees and their resident family, and up to six face-to-face counselling sessions. This can help employees to cope better with the stress and strains of everyday life – whether at work or at home.
Source: http://blackmentalhealth.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=308&Itemid=117