Speaking up for mental health

Energy Voice will proudly host monthly columns to keep the conversation going around the important subject of mental health. This month, Brett To w n s l e y, director of Omniscient Safety innovations, brings the topic into focus.

Mental health solutions are now more of a requirement than ever before as we endeavour to cope with Covid-19 and its impacts, including isolation, social distancing and unemployment.

To solve the issue of mental health at work we need to clearly understand the problem.

But to really understand the problem, we have to dig deeper than the reportable numbers, as most people will not report mental ill health.

Instead, they will come to work with symptoms, leading to increased workplace stress and unsafe behaviours.

This is due to the stigmatisation of mental health.

Why should businesses do anything about it? As human beings we have a moral duty to assist each other and prevent harm.

Businesses also have a legal duty of care.

The Health and Safety at Work Act covers the provision of welfare of employees.

With the movement towards more complex legation and enforcement, businesses must consider the need to evidence preventative duty of care in terms of mental health.

Brett Townsley – “moral duty”