Healthtech can remedy mental health problems
Workers suffering from mental ill-health need more flexible support options writes Zain Sikafi, co-founder and CEO of online video counselling service Mynurva
Why is it that when it comes to discussing mental health, so many working professionals refrain from seeking help for their anxiety, stress or depression? There is no simple answer to this pertinent question. However, it does not change the fact that mental ill-health is having a profound impact on workplaces across the UK.
Just take a look at the statistics – 91 million working days are lost each year to poor mental wellbeing, costing the UK economy up to £99 billion annually. What’s more, it is estimated that 300,000 people lose their jobs each year due to mental health problems.
As someone who previously practised as a GP, I have witnessed the impact mental ill-health can have on people regardless of age, income or profession. No-one is immune from the symptoms; be it a married senior business leader, a young single entrepreneur launching a start-up or a construction worker. In my experience, anyone can be susceptible to feelings of anxiety, stress and depression, and yet, so many choose to avoid the issue.
Workers are suffering in silence
Given the severity of the issue, healthtech start-up Mynurva commissioned a nationally-representative survey to find out just how many full-time UK workers are suffering from mental ill-health, and the barriers preventing them from seeking advice from a healthcare professional.
We found that almost a third (32 per cent) of all UK adults in full-time employ- ment claimed to have suffered from mental health problems in the workplace. Yet, despite the high prevalence of mental illhealth, 37 per cent of those suffering have never sought any professional help.
Sadly, stigma and misconceptions clearly continue to present obstacles to those dealing with poor mental health – particularly for male professionals – despite strong efforts to break down these barriers and encourage people to speak out. Mynurva found that men are more likely to suffer in silence and keep their mental health issues from colleagues. Indeed, 42 per cent of working men have never seen a mental health professional, ten percentage points higher than that of women (32 per cent).
Why, then, are those struggling with poor mental wellbeing not giving it the same attention or concern as they would a physical illness? According to 55 per cent of working professionals, there is an inherent fear that speaking out about their problems to a manager would hinder their chances of a promotion. Ashamed and embarrassed, 59 per cent also believe that if their problems became common knowledge in the workplace, it would negatively impact their relationships with colleagues.
The stigma that regrettably continues to surround mental health means that employees often find it difficult to admit that they are struggling with a condition. Another issue is time. Simply put, amidst people’s busy working lives it is difficult to find the time to see a medical professional about mental health issues – this problem is compounded by the fact that too often therapists and counsellors are not available outside of traditional working hours.
Ignoring the symptoms out of fear of embarrassment can have very severe longterm repercussions, affecting people’s performance at work, their professional and personal relationships, and most importantly, their own wellbeing.
Tackling the mental health crisis in our workplaces
We must always remember that mental health is not just a medical issue; it also affects the culture and productivity of the workplace, be it a large organisation or a small business. And while there is a growing understanding of the issue through awareness days, public initiatives and celebrity-led campaigns, there is still plenty of work needed across the private and public sectors.
It was positive to see mental health feature prominently in the 2018 Autumn Budget, with Chancellor Philip Hammond making a number of announcements in a bid to improve people’s access to mental health support services over the coming years. However, to ensure UK workers have the confidence and ability to speak with professional therapists and counsellors to improve their wellbeing, more creative solutions are needed.
Healthtech can make a difference, be it offering live, discreet and confidential video counselling for employees outside of office hours, or providing apps that offer meditations, lifestyle activities and mood diaries for people to track their symptoms. Promoting these sorts of channels as part of a holistic and coordinated approach to mental health which removes the negative stigma is the best way of ensuring workers have the confidence to seek help for their feelings of anxiety, stress and depression.