Staff too scared to speak of mental problems
Half of sufferers fear telling bosses over anxieties they could lose job
NEARLY half of Scottish workers say people do not tell their employers about mental health problems for fear of losing their job, according to new figures released today.
See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health discrimination, said there is still a stigma towards mental health in workplaces which stops sufferers coming forward to ask for help.
The figures, part of a YouGov survey of 1165 Scottish employees, which showed 48 per cent said people would not go to their bosses, found that 55 per cent thought that people would be unlikely to disclose a mental illness because they feared other consequences, such as being passed over for promotion or moved to another post.
The poll, commissioned by See Me, discovered only 22 per cent of people think their co-workers have a good understanding of the importance of employee mental health.
However 83 per cent said they would want to understand more about the issues, if their colleague was experiencing mental health problems.
See Me in Work is aiming to work with employers to help them to make changes to their work practices and improve the working lives of employees with mental health problems.
The campaign will encourage an equal and fair recruitment process, help employers make sure promotion policies are fair, and ensure those returning to work following ill-health are fully supported.
Gemma Patterson, from South Uist, Outer Hebrides, experienced post-traumatic stress when she was a teenager and says has subsequently stopped her from being recruited to roles and regularly left her feeling unsupported in work.
The 22-year-old was denied her dream job in the navy, after passing her entrance exam and fitness test, only to be told she was unsuitable as she was more “susceptible” to mental health problems.
This was despite her doctor, councillor and psychiatrist all confirming she had come out of her illness “stronger” and able to cope with any symptoms.
“In work I have gone to employers for support and haven’t received any help. I felt very alone,” she said.
Prior to applying for the navy she worked as a lifeguard at a pool in South Uist, where she said she was discriminated against by a colleague who told her “I don’t have to listen to a crazy person”. Her managers took no action. Now she works for an outdoor activity company with children’s groups.
Although her company introduced a mental health policy, managers treated it as a reason for jokes, she says.
“The managers weren’t taking it seriously. Anyone who was in that room hearing them talk about mental welfare would never go to their manager if they had a problem as they just treated it like a joke,” she says. However when she objected to their attitude, her views were listened to, she said.
One organisation taking part is Network Rail which, along with a number of other employers, has been working with See Me to develop a new programme to tackle mental health discrimination in work.
Edinburgh City Council and Edinburgh agency Lewis Creative, will also engage in the first phase of this work with See Me.
‘‘ Most people at some point in their lives will suffer from mental health challenges and have times when they struggle to cope